Bhadrachalam, June 14, 2025 – Telangana’s concerns over potential submergence due to the Polavaram Project on the Godavari River remain unaddressed, despite Supreme Court directives and repeated appeals to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Polavaram Project Authority (PPA). The multi-purpose irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh, designed to harness 50 lakh cusecs of floodwater, threatens to inundate approximately 1,000 acres in Telangana, including parts of the historic Bhadrachalam temple town, agricultural lands, and critical infrastructure like the Manuguru Heavy Water Plant.
Telangana officials warn that backwater effects from the project’s full reservoir level (FRL) of 150 feet could submerge 50–205 acres in Bhadrachalam and cause drainage congestion in streams like Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu, risking tribal villages and farmlands. The state has demanded a joint survey to assess these impacts, particularly after the July 2022 floods inundated 28,000 acres, offering a grim preview of potential consequences.
Despite a 2022 Supreme Court order and multiple meetings with the CWC and PPA, progress remains stalled. In April 2024, Andhra Pradesh agreed to a CWC-led survey, but as of April 2025, no survey has been conducted. Telangana has proposed keeping all 48 dam gates open year-round to mitigate backwater risks and urged a revised study using updated flood data. Andhra Pradesh’s offers of flood banks or compensation have been met with skepticism, with Telangana insisting on comprehensive protective measures.
With the monsoon season approaching, Telangana’s Irrigation Minister emphasized urgency, citing climate change-driven extreme weather risks. The lack of high-level talks between the states further complicates resolution. As the PPA delays action, Telangana continues to press for a solution to safeguard its communities from the looming threat of submergence.
