Polavaram Irrigation Project

under construction

The Polavaram irrigation project is a multipurpose national initiative located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It involves a reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 194.6 TMC, irrigation of 7.2 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilization of 23.5 lakh acres, generation of 960 MW hydropower, and supply of drinking water to 540 villages. The project includes a 1118-metre spillway with 48 radial gates, rerouting of the river course, earth cum rock fill dam sections, a powerhouse with 12 vertical Kaplan turbines, and extensive canal systems. The project has faced decades of delay but has seen accelerated execution recently with significant progress in civil works and key components.