With a crucial Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Monday, the Andhra Pradesh government is intensifying its legal preparations for the contentious Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project. State Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Sunday held a detailed strategy session with the legal team and senior officials, urging them to present a strong, fact-based defence.
Minister Ramanaidu's Directives for Robust Legal Defence
In a comprehensive video conference, Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu reviewed the state's strategy with key personnel. The meeting included Irrigation Special Secretary Saiprasad, Adviser Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief Narasimha Murthy, senior inter-state irrigation officials, and the legal experts handling the case.
The minister emphasised the critical need for thorough preparation. He directed the irrigation department to promptly share all project-related records, technical data, and correspondence with the legal team. This move is aimed at effectively countering any objections raised by opposing parties in the Supreme Court.
Project Rationale: Utilising 'Wasteful' Surplus Water
Explaining the core justification for the project, Ramanaidu stated that the link is designed to utilise a mere 200 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the nearly 3,000 TMC that flows unused into the sea every year from the Godavari river. He asserted that, as per the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award, Andhra Pradesh is fully entitled to use these remaining waters.
"Being the lower riparian state in the Godavari basin, Andhra Pradesh has the right to utilise surplus floodwaters," the minister clarified, adding that this would be done without infringing on the legitimate water rights of any other state.
The primary objective, he outlined, is to divert this otherwise wasted surplus water to the chronically drought-affected Rayalaseema region. The project envisions transforming Rayalaseema into a fertile and agriculturally prosperous zone, thereby ensuring more balanced regional development within Andhra Pradesh.
Commitment to Due Process and Future Steps
Minister Ramanaidu provided updates on the project's procedural status. He confirmed that the feasibility report has already been submitted to the Central government. The state government is now incorporating necessary modifications strictly in line with the suggestions and guidelines issued by the Union government.
Addressing concerns regarding tenders floated for the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the minister clarified that these were only preliminary preparatory steps intended to save time once all statutory approvals are in place. He categorically assured that the actual execution of the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project will commence only after securing all requisite legal, statutory, and environmental clearances.
Reiterating the state government's official stance, Ramanaidu concluded that the project is meticulously designed to safeguard inter-state interests while optimally harnessing surplus water resources for the long-term benefit and water security of Andhra Pradesh.
