CWC Frustrated: The Central Water Commission (CWC) has been disappointed with the delays in the very important backwater impact studies of the Polavaram Project. The studies are very critical, especially for Telangana, where it is on the verge of facing floods and submergence due to backwater.
With global warming speeding up the extreme weather events, Telangana has been requesting a comprehensive evaluation of the streams that would most likely have a cascading impact. Yet, the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) has been criticised for taking its time on this.
The delayed surveys are raising eyebrows over the security of vital infrastructure, such as Telangana’s Manuguru Heavy Water Plant, Bhadrachalam pilgrim town, and Godavari River tribal habitations in Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. The monsoon season is round the corner, with predicted excess rain further augmenting the threat.
Historical evidence justifies the risk: the Godavari River has experienced almost 40 serious floods in the last 75 years, mostly in August. Nevertheless, flood control is not yet sufficient, triggering concern among the affected areas.
Although the onus of carrying out backwater studies rests primarily with the PPA, the government has always tried to transfer the onus to the CWC. The officials of the CWC have stated that they were willing to lend a hand but were critical of the PPA’s delay tactics.
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At a recent interstate meeting on April 4, it was decided to conduct the studies of drainage clogging in six to seven major streams in Telangana in the pattern of earlier studies of the Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu streams. But the PPA’s appeal for intervention by the CWC has been sharply criticised, reflecting a lack of initiative in fulfilling its obligations.
In spite of directions issued by the Supreme Court in September 2022, there has been no progress. The delay has only infuriated the CWC and highlighted the reality that the situation cannot wait anymore. A number of technical meetings convened by the CWC have failed to unlock the stalemate, with Telangana being exposed to attacks.
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