Andhra Pradesh and Central government may not be on one line in many issues but both of them together seem to be going forward in finishing the chapter of Polavaram Project. The project is declared as National Project during the state bifurcation. After NDA government assuming power at the center, the submerging villages in Telangana are added to Andhra Pradesh clearing route for the project completion.
Chandrababu Naidu's government ignoring the project
However the speed totally derailed after that. Central government did not make significant allocations to the projects in both the budgets tabled so far. Chandrababu Naidu's government is also ignoring the project for some reason and is moving forward with Pattiseema lift irrigation project. Adding to this, Godavari authority or Central government is not supervising the works of Polavaram.
Chandrababu Naidu's government will not be spending the money
Central government announced that it will not take up the project construction but will reimburse all the money that is spent by the state government on the project. Meaning that Chandrababu Naidu's government will not be spending the money and the Central government need not reimburse it. This is the situation of Polavaram project, which is called the life line of Andhra Pradesh.
Overall cost of Polavaram project
The overall cost of Polavaram project shot up from Rs 5,600 cr in 2006 to Rs 16,010 cr by 2013. The cost is expected to shoot up further as the land acquisition cost has more than tripled in the region as farmers are seeking additional compensation under the relief and rehabilitation package. The governments have to spend at least 5000 Crore per year so that it gets completed in the next 5-6 years.
