Question : Polavaram National Project

(a) the initial and revised cost of Polavaram National Project along with share of the Union as well as State Government in term of its funding with the quantum of funds allocated, released and utilised for the purpose so far;
(b) whether the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested the Union Government for reimbursement of the expenditure incurred by it so far on this project and to release sufficient funds for the same, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
(c) whether Central Water Commission has appointed any committee for smooth construction/implementation of this project, if so, the details along with the recommendations made thereof;
(d) whether the Union Government proposes to fund this project under Accelerated Integrated Benefit Programme, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken to implement the project within prescribed timeline, if any?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(Dr. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a), (d) & (e) The project was accorded investment clearance by the Planning Commission for Rs. 10151.04 crore (at 2005-06 price level) in 2009. Thereafter, the Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation on 04/01/2011 has approved the revised project cost of Rs. 16010.45 crore (at 2010-11 price level).
The Polavaram Irrigation Project was included under AIBP during the year 2008-09; with Central share as 25% and State share as 75%. The release of funds through Central Assistance under AIBP is as follows:
S.No. YEAR AMOUNT (Rs. in crore)
1 2008-09 225.00
2 2009-10 337.47
TOTAL 562.47

The project has been declared as national project during 2014 with 100% Central funding. The amount released to the Polavaram Project Authority after declaration of National Project is as follows:

S.No. YEAR AMOUNT (Rs. in crore)
1 2014-15 250.00
2 2015-16 600.00
TOTAL 850.00

A Governing Body and Polavaram Project authority (PPA) have been constituted to execute the project.

(b) The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested the Union Government for reimbursement Rs 1804.25 crore for the expenditure incurred by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh from 2014-15 upto June 2016. The Govt. of India has released Rs 850 crore to Polavaram Project Authority during 2014-16 as per the Budget Allocation. During the Current Financial Year, Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation vide letter dated 04.07.2016 has intimated the Ministry of Finance for additional requirement of Rs 3305 crore during 2016-17 for smooth implementation of the Project.

(c) Polavaram Project Authority has constituted a dam design review panel to provide technical and strategic guidance for design and implementation plan for execution of the project. The Committee has held one meeting and has finalised broad procedure for submission of construction drawing/design to CWC.

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