Keshkal Vidhan Sabha former MLA Krishna Kumar Dhruw has demanded lowering the height of Indira Sagar (Polavaram) Dam being constructed over river Godawari. Dhruw claimed by increasing the height of dam from 150 to 177.44 feet is a violation of Godawari Water Dispute Authority’s terms. Dhruw said now dam’s height is proposed at 177.44 feet, which is 27.44 feet higher than mentioned in the agreement signed on August 7, 1978. Besides, safety embankments are being constructed on both the banks of river Shabri instead at the level of reservoir, for which Chhattisgarh will require 1300 acre land and it will also affect the populations, particularly tribes, settled on the banks of river Shabri.

 

While the construction of Polavaram dam will turn the land at reservoir level of 150 absolute, the flood affected back water level at 177 feet will cover 201.296 hectare forest land under flood zone. Chhattisgarh Government has estimated the 683.01 hectare to be flooded if the dam’s height is 150 feet and at 177 feet 2473.76 hectares land will come under flood. In addition to this, population of 18 villages of Sukma district in Bastar Division will be affected by the project. Union Government has already declared Polavaram a national project and sanctioned Rs 7000 crores to ensure no hurdles in the project to Andhra Pradesh. Former MLA has requested the state government to try to keep the dam’s height at 150 feet so as the state people incur minimum loss.