Polavaram Project:
The Telangana government has decided to rope in experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), to study the impact of the construction of the Polavaram project on the Godavari River.
- It is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River in West Godavari district and East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.
- It involves the construction of a damto address water scarcity, boost agricultural productivity, and generate power.
- The span of the dam is about 1.2 km, having a pier height of 54 m and a total of 48 radial gates (16m x 20m).
- Designed to withstand massive floods that could occur once in 1000 years, the Polavaram Spillway is set to have the highest discharge capacity in the world.
- At 50 lakh cusecs, it is set to surpass even the 3 Gorges Dam of China, one of the largest dams in the world.
- It has been accorded national project status by the central government.
- It is intended for development of a gross irrigation potential of 4,36,825 ha.
- The project also envisages the generation of 960 MW of hydropower, drinking water supply to a population of 28.50 lakh in 611 villages, and diversion of 80 TMC of water to the Krishna River basin.
- The dam will help manage floodwaters from the Godavari River, reducing risks to nearby communities.
