Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu released water through the Polavaram Right Canal on Thursday, following which former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy responded through his social media account.
Jagan criticised the state government for claiming that the water released through the canal had come from the Polavaram project through gravity. He alleged that such publicity was misleading the public.
Jagan Questions Claims of Gravity Water from Polavaram
Jagan questioned how the government could describe the water as Polavaram water when it was being lifted from the Godavari through pumps under the existing Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme and released into the already constructed Polavaram canal.
He pointed out that around 3,500 cusecs of water were being released from Purushothapatnam and claimed that the pumps being used for the purpose were not new.
According to Jagan, 79 percent of the major works related to the Polavaram Left Canal had already been completed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu was now attempting to take credit for works that had been undertaken by previous governments.
Jagan also criticised the state government for repeatedly organising publicity campaigns around irrigation projects instead of focusing on completing the projects and delivering their intended benefits to people.
Chandrababu Government Responsible for Polavaram Damage, Says Jagan
Jagan alleged that the Polavaram project suffered significant damage because of mistakes made by the Chandrababu Naidu government between 2014 and 2019.
He claimed that the spillway and cofferdam works were undertaken only partially and that the river was not properly diverted before the construction of the diaphragm wall. According to Jagan, these shortcomings resulted in damage to the diaphragm wall during floods.
Jagan said that during his five-year tenure, his government completed the approach channel, spill channel, spillway and cofferdams and subsequently moved ahead with the main dam works in a planned manner.
Jagan Seeks Clarity on Polavaram’s Full Reservoir Height
Jagan also demanded clarity from the Chandrababu government over the proposed full height of the Polavaram project.
He pointed out that the project’s designated full reservoir level is 45.72 metres, while the government is reportedly limiting water storage to 41.15 metres.
Jagan questioned how the project could be completed at its full capacity if the Centre’s funding was restricted to works related to the 41.15-metre level.
He also sought answers on how water could be stored at the project’s full capacity and when the rehabilitation and resettlement packages would be provided to the people displaced by the project.
Questions Raised Over North Andhra Irrigation Benefits
Jagan also raised questions about the benefits of the water being released from the Purushothapatnam pumps for North Andhra.
He argued that releasing water through the lift irrigation scheme would not provide the region with the full benefits envisaged from the Polavaram project. He questioned why the government was not giving adequate attention to the North Andhra Sujala Sravanthi project.
Jagan recalled that administrative approvals for the project were granted during the tenure of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He said that during his government, the project estimates were revised and several key works were taken forward to the tender and agreement stages.
Jagan Urges Focus on Project Completion Instead of Publicity
Jagan finally urged the Chandrababu government to set aside publicity and focus on completing the Polavaram project.
He said that instead of limiting the project to 41.15 metres, the government should complete it to its designated height of 45.72 metres to enable water storage at full capacity.
According to Jagan, completing the project to its full height would enable water to reach both the right and left canals through gravity.
He questioned the need for the current publicity campaigns if Polavaram could eventually provide water entirely through gravity without depending on the Purushothapatnam and Pushkara lift irrigation schemes.
Jagan said the focus should be on completing Polavaram as a full-scale irrigation project and ensuring that its intended benefits reach farmers and the people of Andhra Pradesh.
