After Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited the Polavaram project last week, the pace of work has increased significantly.
As per CM’s orders, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has been supervising the process in Delhi through discussions with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Polavaram Project Authority.
Both departments are now actively advancing the project and have appointed a team of international experts to address ongoing issues.
A team of four experts from the USA and Canada will examine the dam’s management, security, civil engineering, and hydraulic structures.
From June 27 to July 5, they will be at Polavaram to evaluate the situation and submit a report to the Polavaram Project Authority. These experts will visit the project every three months until its completion.
The visiting experts are David B. Paul (USA), Richard Donnelly (Canada), Gias Franco de Cisco (USA), and Seas Hinsberger (Canada).
David B. Paul, a senior consultant at an international dam security company, has over 35 years of experience in dam security and management.
Richard Donnelly is a civil engineering expert specializing in hydraulic construction and water management, with over 30 years of experience.
Gias Franco de Cisco has more than 28 years of experience in the construction, maintenance, and structural engineering of dams. He is a Chief Engineer at Advanced Structural Solutions.
Seas Hinsberger has over 25 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and irrigation management.
Currently, significant seepage in the upper cofferdam is delaying the Polavaram Project. Experts have recommended chemical grouting and regular seepage monitoring using piezometers. The current team of experts will examine the project and propose appropriate solutions.
During the 2020 floods, the diaphragm wall of the main dam was damaged. The experts will determine whether it should be reconstructed or repaired.
Overall, the government is aiming to speed up the project and ensure to complete it on time with the help of this expert team.
