Former Minister Ambati Rambabu has voiced sharp criticism over the ongoing delays in the Polavaram project, asserting that disruptions intensified following the entry of Chandrababu Naidu’s administration. “They are effectively putting an end to Polavaram,” remarked Rambabu. He attributed the project’s stagnation to what he claims are Chandrababu’s missteps, preventing its timely completion, and alleged that the coalition government aims to reduce Polavaram from a full-scale dam to a mere barrage.
Rambabu argued that Chandrababu misled the public by promoting a financial package over the promised special status for the region, stating, “Chandrababu deceived the people, claiming that a package was superior to special status.”
Further, Rambabu voiced concerns that Water Resources Minister Ramanaidu was, in his view, speaking without a complete understanding of the project’s complexities. He emphasized that Polavaram would only reach its full potential with a storage capacity of 194 TMC. Criticizing the coalition government’s approach, he warned that the decision to cap the height at 41.15 feet would restrict the project’s effectiveness.
Rambabu noted that Polavaram’s phased construction was approved by the central cabinet during Chandrababu’s term, with an agreement to allocate Rs 12,000 crores in installments, as per the Public Investment Board (PIB). However, he highlighted that while the first phase was discussed in central cabinet meetings, no mention of the second phase was included in official communications. He asserted that this omission implied a potential restriction of the project’s height to the currently sanctioned level.
Rambabu urged Prime Minister Modi or the Union Water Resources Minister to clarify whether Polavaram would be completed in line with its full design specifications, reinforcing the project’s commitment to its original height and storage capabilities.