Polavaram Dam - The Godavari River

Polavaram Dam is a multi-purpose project located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is considered to be one of the most significant irrigation projects in the country. The construction of the dam began in 2014, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Purpose of the Dam

The primary purpose of the Polavaram Dam is to provide irrigation to the agricultural lands in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. It is expected to irrigate about 7.2 lakh hectares of land and provide drinking water to about 540 villages. Additionally, the dam will also generate hydroelectric power, with a capacity of 960 MW.

Features of the Dam

The Polavaram Dam is a concrete gravity dam, with a height of 48 meters and a length of 2.3 kilometers. It is designed to withstand floods of up to 50,000 cubic meters per second, making it one of the largest dams in the country. The reservoir created by the dam will have a storage capacity of 194 thousand million cubic feet (TMC).

Controversy

The construction of the Polavaram Dam has been surrounded by controversy since its inception. The project has faced criticism from environmentalists and activists who claim that it will displace thousands of people and submerge large areas of forest land. Additionally, the dam is being built on the Godavari River, which is considered to be a sacred river by many communities.

Conclusion

The Polavaram Dam is a significant project that aims to provide irrigation to the agricultural lands in Andhra Pradesh and generate hydroelectric power. Despite the controversy surrounding its construction, the dam is expected to have a significant impact on the economy of the region and improve the lives of millions of people.