Hyderabad, June 12, 2026 — The Polavaram irrigation project, one of India’s most ambitious and contentious infrastructure initiatives, has become the latest flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh’s bitter political divide. Y.S. Sharmila, president of the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s government of systematically stripping the project of its core objectives, reducing it to little more than a “water-storage structure” at the expense of farmers, power generation, and flood control.
The allegations, leveled during a press conference in Vijayawada on Wednesday, have reignited long-standing debates over the project’s management, funding, and political motivations. Sharmila’s claims come as the Polavaram dam nears completion, but with key components—including its hydroelectric powerhouse and canal networks—still unfinished, raising questions about whether the project will deliver on its original promises.
What Happened?
Sharmila’s accusations center on what she describes as a deliberate scaling back of the Polavaram project’s scope under the Naidu administration. She alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government has “systematically weakened” the project by deprioritizing its irrigation, hydroelectric, and flood-control functions, leaving it as a “mere reservoir” rather than the multi-purpose lifeline it was intended to be.
“The Polavaram project was envisioned as a transformative initiative for Andhra Pradesh—providing irrigation to millions of acres, generating clean energy, and mitigating floods,” Sharmila said. “But under Naidu’s leadership, it has been hollowed out. This is not just a policy failure; it is a betrayal of the people.”
Her remarks were backed by references to recent design modifications and funding allocations, which she claimed demonstrate a shift away from the project’s original objectives. Official records from the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Department confirm that while the dam’s physical structure is nearly complete, critical components—such as the 960 MW powerhouse and extensive canal networks—remain unfinished. The state government has attributed these delays to funding shortfalls and technical challenges, but critics argue that political priorities have played a decisive role.
In response, TDP leaders dismissed Sharmila’s allegations as “politically motivated” and lacking evidence. State Irrigation Minister P. Anil Kumar Yadav told reporters that the project’s current design adheres to “national standards” and that any modifications were made in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). “The Polavaram project is on track, and its benefits will be realized soon,” Yadav said. “The opposition is spreading misinformation to create confusion ahead of the elections.”
Why It Matters
The Polavaram project is not just an engineering endeavor; it is a symbol of Andhra Pradesh’s development aspirations—and its political fractures. Originally approved in 2004, the project was declared a “national project” by the central government in 2014, with a commitment to fully fund its construction. However, its trajectory has been marred by cost overruns, legal battles, and shifting priorities.
At stake are the livelihoods of millions of farmers who were promised irrigation water, the state’s energy security through hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of devastating floods that have historically plagued the Godavari River basin. The project’s original vision included:
– Irrigation for 7.2 lakh acres of farmland across four districts.
– Generation of 960 MW of hydroelectric power.
– Drinking water supply to 540 villages and several urban centers.
– Flood control measures to protect downstream communities.
However, recent government documents and revised estimates suggest a significant scaling back of these targets. While the dam’s storage capacity remains intact, the focus appears to have shifted toward water storage and limited irrigation, with the powerhouse and canal networks either delayed or deprioritized.
For Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural sector, which contributes nearly 30% of the state’s GDP, the project’s success—or failure—could have far-reaching consequences. Farmers in the drought-prone Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions have long relied on Polavaram’s promised water supply to stabilize crop yields and reduce dependence on erratic monsoons. A downgraded project could leave them vulnerable to water shortages, exacerbating rural distress.
Background and Context
The Polavaram project has been a political lightning rod since its inception. Conceived during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (Sharmila’s father), the project was initially estimated to cost ₹16,010 crore—a figure that has since ballooned to over ₹55,000 crore due to delays, design changes, and inflation. The escalating costs have led to disputes between the state and central governments over funding responsibilities, with each side blaming the other for the project’s slow progress.
Key milestones in the project’s history include:
– 2004: Project approved by the Andhra Pradesh government under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
– 2005: Environmental clearance granted, but with conditions related to rehabilitation and resettlement.
– 2010: The central government includes Polavaram in its Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), signaling federal support.
– 2014: Declared a national project under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, with the central government agreeing to fund 100% of the cost.
– 2019: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) raises concerns over environmental clearances, leading to temporary halts in construction.
– 2022: The central government releases ₹10,000 crore in funding, but disputes over cost-sharing and design modifications persist.
– 2024: The Andhra Pradesh High Court dismisses a petition challenging the project’s environmental clearances, allowing construction to resume.
Despite these developments, the project has faced persistent criticism from environmental groups, who argue that it will submerge 300 villages and displace over 100,000 people, many of them from tribal communities. The resettlement and rehabilitation process has been fraught with delays and allegations of inadequate compensation, further complicating the project’s progress.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The debate over Polavaram’s future is characterized by sharply divergent narratives from the state government, the opposition, and independent experts.
# The Government’s Position
The TDP government maintains that the project is on track and that any modifications to its design were made in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC) and other technical bodies. Irrigation Minister P. Anil Kumar Yadav has repeatedly asserted that the project will deliver its intended benefits, albeit with some delays.
“The Polavaram project is a priority for this government, and we are committed to completing it as per the revised timelines,” Yadav said in a recent statement. He attributed the delays to “unforeseen technical challenges” and funding constraints, emphasizing that the project’s current design meets “all national and international standards.”
Government documents reviewed by Herald Express indicate that while the dam’s physical structure is 95% complete, the powerhouse and canal networks are only 40-50% finished. The state has sought additional funding from the central government to accelerate these components, but negotiations remain ongoing.
# The Opposition’s Allegations
The YSRCP has long accused the TDP of mismanaging the Polavaram project, alleging that the government has prioritized political expediency over the project’s original objectives. Sharmila’s recent claims build on this narrative, suggesting that the Naidu administration has deliberately downgraded the project to cut costs and redirect funds elsewhere.
“Naidu has no interest in completing Polavaram as a multi-purpose project,” Sharmila said. “His government has gutted its irrigation and power components to turn it into a glorified water tank. This is a betrayal of the farmers who were promised water and the people who were promised electricity.”
The YSRCP has also pointed to the project’s escalating costs as evidence of financial mismanagement. The party has demanded a CAG audit of the project’s expenditures, alleging that funds have been misappropriated or diverted to other schemes.
# Independent Assessments
Independent experts and civil society groups have raised concerns about the project’s viability, but their assessments are often overshadowed by the political rhetoric.
– Environmental Impact: The Polavaram project has faced sustained opposition from environmental activists, who warn that the dam will submerge 3,731 hectares of forest land and disrupt the Godavari River’s ecosystem. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has previously flagged issues with the project’s environmental clearances, though the Andhra Pradesh High Court later dismissed these concerns.
– Resettlement and Rehabilitation: The project’s displacement of over 100,000 people, many of them from tribal communities, has been a major point of contention. Reports from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have highlighted delays in compensation and inadequate rehabilitation measures.
– Technical Feasibility: Some water resource experts have questioned whether the project’s revised design can deliver its promised benefits. A 2023 report by the Institute for Resource Analysis and Policy (IRAP) noted that the scaling back of the canal network could limit the project’s irrigation potential, while delays in the powerhouse construction could undermine its energy generation goals.
What to Watch Next
The Polavaram controversy is likely to intensify in the coming months, with several key developments to monitor:
1. Central Government Funding: The state government has requested an additional ₹15,000 crore from the central government to complete the project’s remaining components. The Centre’s response will be critical in determining whether the powerhouse and canal networks can be finished on schedule.
2. CAG Audit: The YSRCP has demanded a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the project’s finances. If approved, the audit could shed light on allegations of financial mismanagement and cost overruns.
3. Legal Challenges: Environmental groups have signaled their intention to challenge the project’s revised clearances in court. Any legal setbacks could further delay construction.
4. 2029 State Elections: With Andhra Pradesh’s next assembly elections just three years away, the Polavaram project is likely to remain a major campaign issue. Both the YSRCP and TDP will seek to frame the project’s progress—or lack thereof—as a referendum on the incumbent government’s performance.
5. Independent Reviews: The central government may commission an independent technical review of the project’s design and progress. Such a review could provide a clearer picture of whether the project is on track to meet its revised objectives.
Conclusion
The Polavaram project was once hailed as a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh—a symbol of the state’s ability to harness its water resources for agriculture, energy, and economic growth. Today, it stands as a testament to the challenges of large-scale infrastructure development in India: cost overruns, political disputes, environmental concerns, and shifting priorities.
Sharmila’s allegations have brought these issues to the forefront, forcing a reckoning over whether the project will deliver on its original promises or fall short as a scaled-back, politically contentious endeavor. For the farmers, tribal communities, and energy consumers who were promised transformative benefits, the stakes could not be higher.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the Polavaram project is far more than a dam. It is a microcosm of Andhra Pradesh’s struggles with development, governance, and the competing visions for its future. Whether it succeeds or fails will depend not just on engineering and funding, but on the ability of its leaders to rise above political point-scoring and deliver on the public good.
*Story synopsis gathered from: [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
