Hyderabad: Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) has assured full protection to Telangana villages likely to be affected by backwaters and submergence impact.Responding to former irrigation minister T Harish Rao’s representation (letter) on the critical need to protect upstream habitations in Telangana from the submergence and backwater effects of the ongoing Polavaram Project, PPA, in a letter to Harish Rao, acknowledged the gravity of the concerns raised on behalf of the people of Telangana and “assured that the issues pertaining to backwater impacts are receiving top priority and due administrative attention”.Significantly, PPA has reiterated the landmark assurance given during the interstate meeting held on April 8, 2025. Presided over by the PPA chief executive officer and attended by senior officials from both Telangana and AP, the meeting concluded with a clear assurance that all areas within Telangana, likely to be affected up to the full reservoir level (FRL) of the Polavaram project, would either be fully protected through robust engineering safeguards or acquired in accordance with the applicable rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) provisions.PPA stated that comprehensive scientific assessments, flood-mitigation strategies, and protective interventions would be thoroughly evaluated and implemented. These measures would be taken to prevent any adverse impact on the lives, livelihoods, agricultural land, and interests of the people residing in the Godavari basin region of Telangana. The authority also acknowledged and appreciated the persistent efforts made to bring the concerns of vulnerable communities to the attention of the authorities concerned.Reacting to the communication, Harish Rao stated that the response from PPA validates the long-standing concerns raised by Telangana regarding the safety of upstream villages and the potential backwater impact of the project. He said that the “formal assurance given by the Centre‘s statutory authority is a significant step towards safeguarding the interests of the affected people”.The former irrigation minister hoped that the assurances, now placed on record by PPA, would be implemented in both letter and spirit.
