Polavaram Project

About Polavaram Project: 

• It is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River in West Godavari district and East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.
• 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.
• It has been accorded national project status by the central government.
• Objectives:
  • It is intended for development of a gross irrigation potential of 4,36,825 ha. 
  • The project also envisages the generation of 960 MW of hydropower, drinking water supply to a population of 28.50 lakh in 611 villages, and diversion of 80 TMC of water to the Krishna River basin.
  • The dam will help manage floodwaters from the Godavari River, reducing risks to nearby communities.

Q1: What is Hydropower?

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity.

Source : T’gana to rope in IIT-H experts to study impact of Polavaram project on Godavari

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