Telangana raises serious concerns over potential impact of Polavaram backwaters in State

Officials emphasized the need for a comprehensive study to assess the impact of water levels rising above the danger mark at these locations, especially in light of last year's devastating floods

Hyderabad: Telangana officials raised serious concerns over the potential impact of Polavaram’s backwaters on vital installations and towns in the region at a crucial meeting of the project authority (PPA) held here on Tuesday. Specifically, the safety of the Manuguru Heavy Water Plant and the temple town of Bhadrachalam were highlighted during their deliberations.

Officials emphasized the need for a comprehensive study to assess the impact of water levels rising above the danger mark at these locations, especially in light of last year’s devastating floods. They reiterated their objections to the project’s full water storage capacity. They made it amply clear that vital installations such as the Manuguru heavy Water Plant and the temple town of Bhadrachalam faced serious threats during heavy floods in recent years.

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The same could be facing serious inundation risks with the Polavaram project impounded to its full reservoir level (FRL). They urged the Polavaram project authority to provide clarity on the extent of the project’s impact on Telangana and called for immediate measures to address these concerns. The meeting also touched upon the effects on tributaries such as Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. State officials stressed the need for steps for safeguarding both urban and rural pockets vulnerable to flooding all along the river banks in Telangana.

They called for a thorough study to be conducted with a sense of urgency to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure. Project authority chairman Atul Jain, Telangana ENC Anil Kumar and two chief engineers from Andhra Pradesh participated in the discussions, which focused on the project’s progress and other critical aspects.