Polavaram Project

Polavaram Project Latest News

The Prime Minister will chair a meeting with chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to discuss the Polavaram project.

About Polavaram Project

• It is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River where the river emerges out of the last range of the Eastern Ghats and enters the plains.
• The dam will be located near Polavaram village in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, an area bordering Chhattisgarh and Odisha. 
• It was conceived in 1980 as a part of the recommendations of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT).
• It has been accorded national project status by the central government.
• It involves the construction of a dam to address water scarcity, boost agricultural productivity, and generate power.
  • The span of the dam is about 1.2 km, having a pier height of 54 m and a total of 48 radial gates (16mx20m).
  • Designed to withstand massive floods that could occur once in 1000 years, the Polavaram Spillway is set to have the highest discharge capacity in the world.
  • At 50 lakh cusecs, it is set to surpass even the 3 Gorges Dam of China, one of the largest dams in the world.
  • The project has set a world record by pouring 32,315.5 cubic metres of concrete into the spillway channel of the project.

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Polavaram Project Objectives

• It is intended for the development of a gross irrigation potential of 4,36,825 ha. 
• The project also envisages the generation of 960 MW of hydropower and drinking water supply to a population of 28.50 lakh in 611 villages.
• The project also aims to transfer 80 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water from the Godavari to the Krishna river basin.
• The dam will help manage floodwaters from the Godavari River, reducing risks to nearby communities.

Polavaram Project FAQs

Q1: On which river is the Polavaram Project constructed?

Ans: Godavari River

Q2: Where is the Polavaram Project located?

Ans: It is located in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, an area bordering Chhattisgarh and Odisha. 

Q3: How much hydropower is the Polavaram Project expected to generate?

Ans: 960 MW

Source: TOI