Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Centre returns Polavaram-Banakacherla link project for fresh scrutiny
The big central government in India sent back a water plan made by the Andhra Pradesh state government.
The plan is called the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project and would cost about Rs 81,900 crore.
It wants to move extra flood water from the Godavari River to another canal.
The water would be used for drinking water for millions of people and for farming.
But another state, Telangana, says the plan breaks an old agreement about sharing the Godavari River's water.
The central government says the two states must first talk and solve their disagreement.
Andhra Pradesh also needs to get all the required permissions before the plan can be approved.
A committee looked at the plan and said more checks are needed first.
So the project must wait until these water issues and permits are sorted out.
The Centre returned Andhra Pradesh's Rs 81,900-crore Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project proposal, directing the state to first address inter-state water issues and obtain necessary clearances.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Kirti Vardhan Singh disclosed the decision in a written reply to a question by YSRCP Rajya Sabha member Golla Babu Rao.
The Expert Appraisal Committee recommended the return after its June 17 meeting, saying the Central Water Commission must first examine inter-state water sharing, floodwater availability and statutory clearances.
The project would divert surplus Godavari River floodwaters at Polavaram Dam to the Banakacherla Regulator on the Srisailam Right Main Canal through a link canal.
Andhra Pradesh projects drinking water for about 80 lakh people and 3 lakh hectares of new ayacut, while Telangana contends the project violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (1980) Award.
- Who
- The central government (Centre), which returned the proposal on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee; Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Kirti Vardhan Singh disclosed the decision in a written reply.
- What
- The Centre returned Andhra Pradesh's Rs 81,900-crore Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project proposal for fresh scrutiny, directing the state to resolve inter-state water issues and obtain all clearances and NOCs first.
- When
- Announced in a recent written reply in Parliament; the Expert Appraisal Committee examined the proposal at a meeting on June 17.
- Where
- Reported from Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh); the project links Polavaram Dam on the Godavari River to the Banakacherla Regulator on the Srisailam Right Main Canal.
- Why
- Because complaints allege the project violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (1980) Award, and the Central Water Commission must first examine inter-state water sharing, floodwater availability and statutory clearances before environmental appraisal can continue.
Andhra Pradesh government
Telangana government
Diverting Godavari floodwaters
Andhra Pradesh government
The project would divert surplus Godavari River floodwaters from Polavaram Dam to the Banakacherla Regulator, bringing drinking water, irrigation and industrial water benefits to Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana government
The project violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (1980) Award and could adversely affect Telangana's water interests.
When the project should proceed
Andhra Pradesh government
The state submitted the proposal for environmental appraisal, projecting drinking water for about 80 lakh people, 3 lakh hectares of new ayacut, supplementary irrigation for 9.14 lakh hectares and 20 TMC of water for industry.
Telangana government
The proposal should not advance until the Central Water Commission examines inter-state water sharing, floodwater availability and statutory clearances, and Andhra Pradesh obtains all approvals and NOCs.
- Project
- Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project
- Estimated cost
- Rs 81,900 crore
- Route
- Godavari River at Polavaram Dam to Banakacherla Regulator on Srisailam Right Main Canal
- Drinking water beneficiaries
- Nearly 80 lakh people
- New irrigation potential
- 3 lakh hectares of new ayacut
- Supplementary irrigation
- 9.14 lakh hectares
- Industrial water supply
- 20 TMC
- Centre's directive
- Resolve inter-state water issues and obtain all approvals, clearances and NOCs before resubmitting for environmental appraisal