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Polavaram Project — Location, Purpose and Key Facts

The Polavaram Project, also known as the Indira Sagar Project, is a major multipurpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It was declared a National Project by the Government of India in 2014 and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in India, designed to provide irrigation water, hydroelectric power, and drinking water to large areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the Polavaram Project?

Answer

The Polavaram Project (also called Indira Sagar Project) is a multipurpose irrigation dam on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It provides irrigation water, hydroelectric power (960 MW), and drinking water. It was declared a National Project in 2014.

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Key Facts

Polavaram Project is also called Indira Sagar Project.

Located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.

Declared a National Project in 2014 by the Government of India.

Power generation capacity: 960 MW.

Irrigation: 7.2 lakh acres of new land.

Drinking water: to 540 villages and 28.5 lakh people.

Dam type: Concrete-faced rockfill dam.

Key Facts about Polavaram Project

Official name: Polavaram Irrigation Project / Indira Sagar Project River: Godavari River State: Andhra Pradesh Location: Eluru district (formerly West Godavari and East Godavari districts) Project type: Multipurpose (irrigation + power + drinking water) Dam type: Concrete-faced rockfill dam Declared National Project: 2014 (by the Union Government) Height of dam: 41.25 m (spillway) Length of dam: 2.3 km

Purpose and Benefits

  1. Irrigation: • Intended to irrigate 7.2 lakh acres (about 1.79 lakh hectares) of new land • Also provide water to 3 lakh acres of stabilized ayacut • Total: approximately 4.81 lakh hectares

  2. Hydroelectric Power: • Installed power generation capacity: 960 MW • To provide electricity to Andhra Pradesh and surrounding region

  3. Drinking Water: • Supply drinking water to 540 villages in Andhra Pradesh • Provide water to 28.50 lakh people (about 28.5 lakh beneficiaries)

  4. Interlinking: • Part of the river interlinking plan — to transfer water to Krishna basin

Significance

• First project in independent India declared a National Project (Union Government funding the entire project) • Largest project on the Godavari River • Critical for water security in coastal Andhra Pradesh • Associated with the famous Polavaram Lift Irrigation Scheme • The project will submerge parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh — requiring large-scale rehabilitation • Also called 'Jalayagnam' (Water Yagna) — term popularized during Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments

Questions and Answers

What is the Polavaram Project?+

The Polavaram Project (also called Indira Sagar Project) is a multipurpose irrigation dam on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It provides irrigation water, hydroelectric power (960 MW), and drinking water. It was declared a National Project in 2014.

On which river is the Polavaram dam built?+

The Polavaram dam is built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh (in the Eluru district). It is one of the largest projects on the Godavari.

When was Polavaram declared a National Project?+

Polavaram was declared a National Project in 2014 by the Government of India. This means the Union Government funds the entire project cost, not just the state government.

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