"CM Announces Polavaram Phase 1 Completion by 2027"

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that Phase 1 of the Polavaram project is set to be completed by the end of 2027. In a statement, Naidu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil for allocating ₹12,157 crore for the project’s first phase. He described the Union Cabinet's approval of funds for Polavaram and two industrial nodes as a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh, instilling renewed confidence in the state.

Naidu emphasized the importance of securing approvals for Phase 2 and addressing any concerns that may arise. He criticized the previous YSRC government for halting the project for over 15 months, attributing significant setbacks to poor decision-making.

Naidu recalled the project's origins, stating that Polavaram was conceived by Sir Arthur Cotton but faced numerous challenges over the years. He noted that after the state's bifurcation and the project's designation as a national project, the TDP government made significant progress, completing 72% of the work. Naidu personally visited the dam site 28 times and conducted 82 virtual reviews to ensure progress.

The project has achieved key milestones, including the completion of the diaphragm wall in a record 414 days, installation of spillway gates, and construction of the coffer dam. The state government has already invested ₹11,762 crore in the project and ₹4,114 crore in rehabilitation efforts, without waiting for federal funds.

Naidu criticized the 2019 government change, stating that the new administration's actions, such as terminating the project's contractor, led to significant delays. He argued that if gaps in the coffer dam had been addressed in 2019, the project could have been completed by 2021.

In addition to discussing Polavaram, Naidu praised the Union government's allocation of three industrial corridors to Andhra Pradesh. The Kopparthi Industrial Node will be developed over 2,596 acres with a ₹2,137 crore investment, creating 54,000 jobs. The Kurnool Industrial Node will span 2,621 acres with a ₹2,781 crore investment, attracting ₹12,000 crore in investments and generating 45,000 jobs. The Krishnapatnam Node will receive a ₹1,800 crore investment, and tenders for the Nakkapalli Pharma Hub are underway.

ET