Andhra Pradesh has recently withdrawn the Polavaram-Banakacherla project and introduced a new initiative called the Polavaram-Nallamala Link Project. A tender notice has been issued to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this construction. The state’s Water Resources Department has invited e-procurement tenders, following all statutory clearances and CWSC guidelines. The project is being developed under the EPC turnkey system, with Rs 7.68 crore allocated over 12 months. Tender submissions are open until next month.
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh had planned the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project with an estimated cost of Rs 80,000 crore. Telangana strongly opposed this plan, stating it would harm state interests. The government resolved not to release any portion of its Godavari share. Legal and administrative measures were initiated to block the project. Meetings with central ministers and MPs were conducted to convey objections.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar personally met Union Minister CR Patil in Delhi. They also briefed party MLAs with a detailed presentation, highlighting the project’s potential violations. The Centre subsequently rejected Andhra Pradesh’s environmental clearance applications for the original project.
Despite previous cancellations, Andhra Pradesh renamed the project and revived it as Polavaram-Nallamala Link Project. Tenders have been invited for DPR preparation, prompting Telangana to prepare countermeasures. The state has affirmed it will prevent the project from proceeding under any circumstances.
