Centre extends the deadline to 2021 for completion of Polavaram Project

The central government has taken yet another crucial decision regarding the Polavaram project. Previously, the central government which announced 2019 as the deadline for the completion of the Polavaram project is now extended it to 2021. The centre has given in writing to the question raised by BJP MP Sujana Chaudhary in the Rajya Sabha on Monday stating that the contract has been extended due to contract management reasons for various parts of the project.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 3047 crore in 2018- 19, of which the Center has provided Rs 1400 crore to the state. As per the recommendations of the Polavaram Project Authority and Water Commission, the Center has so far released 8614 crores. However, the Finance Ministry had made a note on November 26, 2019, that there would be no release of funds until an audit of the expenditure of the state government is done.

On the other hand, the Odisha government has filed a 71-page affidavit in Supreme court to stall the works stating that the height of the project is more compared to what the AP govt has said earlier. They claim that the project would lead to submerging of the villages in the Odisha state. The Odisha government has asked the Supreme Court to halt the construction of the project to prevent their loss.