The Chandrababu government plans to dedicate the Polavaram project to the nation during the Godavari pushkaralu in June, 2027. Foreign advisors who visited the site stated that the project is likely to be completed by then. Their assessment has strengthened the government’s confidence.
Earlier, the YSRCP government had stated that it could not commit to a completion timeline. After coming to power in 2024, the Chandrababu government treated Polavaram as a priority challenge. The Centre also extended support by releasing funds at regular intervals.
A foreign expert committee visited the dam six times and advised the Central Jal Sangh and other bodies on technical measures. They recommended construction of the upper coffer dam and completion of the buttress dam. The buttress dam was completed by June 2025.
This helped control seepage during floods, with remaining seepage being pumped out. Despite flood conditions on one side, construction continued at Polavaram from July to November 2025. Abysses were filled with sand and vibro compaction was carried out to stabilise the land.
Within one and a half years, Rs 4747 crore was spent on construction and rehabilitation. The Central government approved funds worth Rs 12,157 crore to be released in phases. It has already released Rs 4318 crore and is preparing the third instalment.
The Central Jal Sangh recommended building a new diaphragm wall instead of retaining the old one. Construction began in January 2025 and is expected to finish by June 2026, as per Bauer Company. Currently, 91 percent of the work is complete.
Construction of the main dam has also started, with two sections being built near the diaphragm wall. The right canal has been completed. The left canal is scheduled for completion by June 2026, according to officials overseeing the project.
Once completed, the Polavaram dam will store water up to +41.15 Mt. A total of 38,060 families are slated for rehabilitation, with 21,769 identified in the latest count. Tenders for rehabilitation colonies will be called in March and completed by December 2026.
