Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sought the permanent withdrawal of the stop-work order affecting the Polavaram project and proposed a meeting of the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh to resolve the pending public hearing issue. He made the request during a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi on Thursday, according to an official statement.
The stop-work order, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is connected to pending public hearings for protective embankments planned in Odisha and Chhattisgarh as part of the Polavaram project. Although the order is currently in abeyance, Naidu asked for its permanent withdrawal and urged coordination among the three states to expedite the remaining process.
Naidu proposed that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti convene the three chief ministers under its chairmanship. He said the issue could be addressed through mutual cooperation, coordination and a spirit of give-and-take in the larger interests of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
During the meeting, Naidu shared details of the project’s progress and said the works were advancing with the objective of completing Polavaram and dedicating it to the nation by the time of the next Godavari Pushkaram in mid-2027. He also urged the Union minister to ensure the timely release of funds for the project.
The chief minister said rehabilitation and resettlement works required for impounding water up to the 41.15-metre contour were being expedited. He said the Andhra Pradesh government was giving equal priority to addressing the problems of displaced families and completing relief and rehabilitation measures alongside construction. Naidu requested that there be no shortage of funds for these activities.
The two leaders also discussed the works required for impounding water up to the 45.72-metre contour. Naidu said large quantities of Godavari floodwater were flowing into the sea and referred to efforts to divert and use the water through the Pattiseema project. He also said steps were being taken to develop Polavaram as a major tourism and spiritual destination.
The meeting covered the Jal Jeevan Mission-Amarajeevi Jaladhara works as well. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had around 95 lakh rural households, of which 62 lakh already had tap water connections. Foundation stones had recently been laid for works intended to provide drinking water connections to another 27 lakh rural households. He requested prompt release of central funds in line with the progress of those works and also discussed the interlinking of rivers in the southern states.
