Any progress in the Polavaram-Banakacacherla project must be in accordance with the Godavari Tribunal judgment, says the Central Committee for the Environmental Expert. | Photographic credit:
In the failure of the government Andr Pradesh, the Central Committee for the Environmental Expert (EAC) refused to provide an environmental permit the proposed project Polavaram – Banakacherla Link.
The committee quoted several objections and stressed that any further progress must be in accordance with the judgment of the Godavari (GWDT) Court, the EAC report of 30 June said.
The EAC (EAC) Committee, chaired by GK Chakrapani, organized a meeting in the virtual regime to explore this proposal on June 17th.
During the session, the Committee took into account a wide range of objections received through e -mails and other channels.
Several complaints claimed that the project was violated by the 1980 GWDT judgment.
Concerns about the possible problems of submerged in neighboring States Odisha and Chhattisgarh, along with waiting legal disputes, were also formed.
The Committee recommended that the Central Water Commission (CWC) be consulted for comprehensive flood water management evaluation and for environmental concerns and international states.
He stressed that the evaluation of environmental impact assessment (EIA), reference conditions (TOR) and interstate consequences of water sharing should be carried out in cooperation with CWC.
On the basis of these recommendations, the center returned the proposal to the government of Andr Pradesh for further clarification and revision.
The EAC notes that the expected benefits of the Polavaram-Banakacacacherla Link project include the provision of drinking water for approximately 80 lakh people, creating a new Ayacut 3 Lakh hectare, stabilization of existing Ayacut 9.14 Lakh hectares, hectares, 400 MW development, hectare, hectares, hectares, and hydropower development.
He noted that the proposed scheme aims to avert the flood water from the Godavari River Basin (Pollavaram dam) in pans with a lack of water in the state.
EAC also noted that environmental clearance (EC) for the Indira Sagar Polavram multipurpose project at Godavari in Andhra Pradesh was awarded on January 25, 2005.
The Committee therefore recommended that Andhra Pradesh comprehensively assessed the availability of flood waters after consultation with CWC.
EAC further noted that several statements were received and claimed that the proposed system could be contrary to the price of the Godavari water disputes, 1980.
It is therefore necessary for Andhra Pradesh to turn to CWC in order to explore international questions and granting the necessary permission before submitting the proposal for framing TOR to perform the EIA study, the panel said.
Published – 1 July 2025 12:02
