- The Hindu – 09-08-06

Call to redesign Polavaram project

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Environmentalists and water experts have demanded a thorough study and redesign of the Polavaram multipurpose project in the light of the grave danger posed by the latest floods along river Godavari, especially to the temple town of Bhadrachalam.

"If the flood water level posed a danger of submergence to the people of Bhadrachalam and other areas now, the situation could well be imagined once the Polavaram dam reaches the height of 150 ft," T. Shivaji Rao, environmentalist, Biksham Gujja of World Wide Fund for Nature and Sivaramakrishna of Sakti, an NGO, warned while addressing a press conference on Tuesday.

Quoting Dam Break Analysis on the project conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology at Roorkee, not made public by the Government, Prof. Rao said the peak flood due to Polavaram dam failure will be one and a half times to three times of that recorded in August 1986 (35 lakh cusecs) when vast areas like Kovvuru, Tanuku, Dhawaleswaram and many other towns and villages were inundated.

A similar analysis beyond Rajahamundry showed that a dam collapse and flash floods could engulf Rajahmundry- Kovvuru region within six hours under 15 metres of water. Other important towns will be flooded within 10 to 16 hours posing a grave risk to the 25-lakh populations.

Dr.Biksham said it was unfortunate that the Government has embarked on such a massive project costing RS 14000 Crores without proper public debate.  Nor was it serutinished by an independent agency involving experts.