Polavaram Works Halted Temporarily: Ambati

Water Resources Minister Ambati Rambabu said that the government can not commit to a deadline when the study about damage to the diaphragm wall in the Polavaram project will be completed.

He said that till the report comes, the work of Rockfill Dam is not likely to be done. That’s why the work has stalled.

He spoke at a media conference held in Amaravati.

“Our opinion is that the diaphragm wall has been damaged. No organization has confirmed this. Nowhere in the world, there is an organization to check that. A study is being done by the National Hydro Power Corporation on the extent of damage to the diaphragm wall. Only after that, we will know about the Diaphragm wall damage,” he said.

“Rockfill Dam work will not be done until that report is received. A decision should be made whether to repair it or build a new diaphragm wall only after it is confirmed that it is damaged. Until that clarity comes, there is no possibility of earth cum rockfill dam works in Polavaram,” he clarified.

“It is absolutely wrong to build a diaphragm wall rather than a coffer dam. We will question the PPA, CWC, and Center if necessary on this matter. Other states went to the Supreme Court on Polavaram and are trying to make a mountain out of a mole,” Ambati Rambabu said.