Jagan directs officials to finish repair of Polavaram diaphragm wall, damaged during TDP rule, at the earliest

The officials who attended the review meeting informed him that 12,658 displaced families had been shifted to the newly-constructed colonies.

Also read: Centre to provide ₹17,144 crore for Polavaram Project

A crack in the wall

Referring to news reports on the cracks in the guide wall, the chief minister expressed displeasure over a section of the media allegedly making a mountain out of a molehill.

“A section of the media was silent when damage was caused to the diaphragm wall on account of the faulty construction of the upper cofferdam. When the flash floods came, water gushed into the diaphragm wall through the gaps that were left out, causing severe damage,” he said.

“As the diaphragm wall is the base for the construction of the main dam, the damage caused an extra financial burden of ₹2,000 crore on the project, besides delaying it,” he added.

పోలవరం ప్రాజెక్టులో ఎగువ కాఫర్‌ డ్యాం పరిశీలన తర్వాత ఫొటో ఎగ్జిబిషన్‌ను పరిశీలించిన సీఎం. గత ప్రభుత్వం హయాంలో ప్రణాళిక లోపం వల్ల 202౦లో కాఫర్‌డ్యాం ఖాళీలగుండా ప్రవహించిన వరదనీరు, ఆతర్వాత ఈప్రభుత్వం కాఫర్‌డ్యాంను పూర్తిచేసిన చిత్రాన్ని పరిశీలించిన సీఎం. pic.twitter.com/OVIHTRoaMz

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) June 6, 2023

Also Read: Why do AP, Telangana often clash over the Polavaram Project?

The chief minister expressed displeasure over news outlets raising what he deemed was an unnecessary hue and cry over the small damage caused to the guide wall.

He said that the officials should take this seriously and proceed with the necessary steps as it is common to move ahead, undertaking repairs wherever necessary.

The officials explained that the designs of the guide wall had been approved by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the commission had been informed of the small cracks in the wall. They said that repairs would be undertaken as per the suggestion of the CWC.

The officials also told him that they are expediting the works to complete the repairs of the diaphragm wall by December.

Officials apprised the chief minister that the works relating to the laying of spillway concrete, construction of upper and lower cofferdams, concrete work at gap 3, arrangement of 48 radial gates, river sluice gates, tunnel work at the powerhouse, transportation of sand to ECRF gap 2 area, and so on, had been completed, while the approach channel works were nearing completion.

Also read: Telangana urges PPA to ensure free flow condition at Polavaram

Other works in progress

Jagan Mohan at a site inspection of Polavaram Project. (Twitter)

The chief minister also inspected the Vibro Compaction and sand filling works at the damaged diaphragm wall, besides visiting the sites of upper and lower cofferdams.

Officials explained the increased height of the upper cofferdam and the details of the completed lower cofferdam.

He was informed of the progress of the ECRF works.

He also inspected a photo exhibition of the dam works while officials explained the details.

Funding the works

The officials informed Jagan that the Union Finance Ministry had consented to release ₹12,911.15 crore for the completion of the first phase of the Polavaram Project.

This, they said, included the ₹2,000 crore extra expenditure caused due to the faulty construction of the diaphragm wall during the TDP rule.

The Union Finance Ministry said this in a memorandum sent to the Union Water Resources Ministry, officials disclosed.

They added that the Centre has also given exemption from compound payment of bills as it is causing project delay.

దిగువ కాఫర్‌ డ్యాం వద్ద దెబ్బతిన్న డయాఫ్రంవాల్‌ ప్రాంతాన్ని పరిశీలించిన సీఎం. అక్కడ జరుగుతున్న పనులను పరిశీలించిన సీఎం. pic.twitter.com/V6Dmx0knn0

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) June 6, 2023