AP’s Polavaram – Banakacerla Project does not get an environmental statement

In a setback with the government of Andhra Pradesh, the Central Environmental Expert Committee (EAC) refused to provide environmental approval to the proposed Pola Park -Banakatorla link project.

The committee quoted several objections and emphasized that any further progress must be in accordance with the judgment of the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal (GWDT), said EAC report of 30 June.

The expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), chaired by GK Chakrapani, held a meeting in virtual mode on 17 June to investigate the proposal.

During the session, the committee took into account a wide range of objections via E -mails and other channels.

Various complaints claimed that the project violates the GWDT opinion of 1980.

There were also concern about possible immersion issues in the adjacent States Odisha and Chhattisgarh, along with hanging legal disputes.

The Commission has advised that the Central Water Commission (CWC) would be consulted for an extensive evaluation of the management of the flood water and to tackle concerns about environmental and interstate concerns.

It emphasized that assessments of the implications of the environmental effects (EIA), reference conditions (TOR) and interstate water exchange must be done in collaboration with the CWC.

Based on these recommendations, the center has returned the proposal to the government of Andhra Pradesh for further clarification and revision.

The EAC notes that the projected benefits of the PolaMaram-Banakakerla link project include the range of drinking water for approximately 80 Lakh people, establishing a new irrigation Ayacut of 3 Lakh hectare, stabilization of an existing Ayacut of 9.14 Lakh hectare.

It noted that the proposed scheme aims to distract flood water from the Godavari basin (Polavaram Dam) to the water areas in the state.

The EAC also noted that Environmental Statement (EC) was granted by the Ministry for the Indira Sagar Polavaram Multipurpose project on the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh on 25 January 2005. However, due to immersion -related issues in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the matter remains. Sub -jurdice.

Accordingly, the Commission has recommended that Andhra Pradesh would have to fully assess the availability of flood water in consultation with the CWC.

Moreover, the EAC noted that various representations were received, claiming that the proposed schedule can be contrary to the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980.

It is therefore necessary that the Andhra Pradesh should approach the CWC for investigating the interstate issues and granting the necessary permission before the proposal for the framing of the TOR for conducting EIA study, the panel said.