Polavaram Authority Commits to Safeguarding Telangana Villages from Backwater Submergence

Hyderabad: Telangana villages at risk from the Polavaram Project's backwater impacts will be shielded through protective engineering interventions, the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) has assured.

The commitment comes after former Irrigation Minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao flagged apprehensions about the safety of upstream settlements in the region.

In its formal response, the PPA outlined a two-pronged approach for habitations situated up to the Full Reservoir Level (FRL). Affected communities will either benefit from engineering safeguards or have their land acquired under the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) framework. The Authority emphasized that backwater-related concerns are receiving top-tier administrative focus.

Mitigation strategy rooted in science

The PPA referenced undertakings made during an inter-state consultation on April 8, 2025, where representatives from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participated. The Authority stated that evidence-based assessments will inform its mitigation approach, with flood-management schemes and protective infrastructure designed to reduce exposure to risk.

These interventions are intended to shield villages, farming communities, and economic activities throughout the Godavari basin from the adverse consequences of backwater effects. The PPA noted that planned actions would tackle concerns surrounding flooding and the prospect of displacement in susceptible regions.

Harish Rao voices support

Expressing approval of the PPA's communication, Harish Rao characterized the assurance as vindication of Telangana's enduring apprehensions regarding community welfare and backwater consequences. He hailed the response from the Centre's statutory body as a meaningful advancement in defending vulnerable populations. The BRS leader called upon the PPA, the Central government, and the Andhra Pradesh administration to deliver on their pledges without postponement.

Harish Rao underscored the necessity for authorities to execute protection, rehabilitation, and resettlement programmes promptly. He stressed that no household or settlement should bear the burden of the undertaking. He additionally demanded rigorous oversight mechanisms to verify that protective commitments are implemented across all impacted localities.