New Delhi, August 6: The Union Government has informed Parliament that the Andhra Pradesh Government’s proposal for the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project has been returned, pending examination by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on inter-state issues and the required statutory clearances.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said the Ministry had received the proposal on June 5, 2025, seeking Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the project.
The proposal was examined by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydro-electric Projects at its meeting held on June 17, 2025. The Committee recommended that the project should first obtain the necessary examination, clearance, permission or No Objection Certificate from the Central Water Commission before the Ministry considers framing the ToR for the EIA study.
The Minister also informed the House that the Ministry had received several representations alleging that the proposed project may violate the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980. In view of the pending inter-state issues and the complaints received, the proposal was returned to the Andhra Pradesh Government in accordance with the EAC’s recommendations.
