Study to be conducted soon on impact of Polavaram project backwaters in Telangana

The State has insisted on mapping the submergence area with the Polavaram project storage at the full reservoir level of 150 feet

Hyderabad: An independent study on the impact of submergence by the Polavaram project backwaters in Telangana will be conducted soon. The State has insisted on mapping the submergence area with the Polavaram project storage at the full reservoir level of 150 feet.

The Polavaram Project Authority, which had a coordination meeting in Hyderabad with the officials of both States on Tuesday to address the submergence concerns of Telangana, has agreed to conduct a comprehensive survey.

Telangana officials voiced concern over the potential impact of the Polavaram backwaters on two forest streams – Kinnerasani and Murredu Vagu, both tributaries of Godavari causing inundation of large tracts of plain areas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

They insisted on a simultaneous study on the impact of the Polavaram backwaters on five other streams.

Telangana highlighted the National Green Tribunal’s orders to address the concerns raised by Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha regarding the Polavaram backwater issue.

Telangana officials recalled that the Centre had already filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court emphasising the steps taken to resolve the Polavaram backwaters issue.

They questioned how the case in the Supreme Court would be closed without resolving the basic issue.

However, the project authority had made it clear the study would be conducted by engaging an independent agency. Still, it would be restricted to Kinnerasani and Mureddu vagu streams only as per the directives of the National Green Tribunal.