Polavaram Irrigation Project is a ‘modern temple of Andhra Pradesh’, and the State government is making plans to complete the project before the commencement of the Godavari Pushkarams, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has said.

Mr. Ramanaidu visited the Polavaram project site on Tuesday, inspected the ongoing works and reviewed the progress with engineering experts and Irrigation Department officials.

Speaking to the media later, he said completion of the project would ensure that the waters of the Godavari reach Rayalaseema as well as the North Andhra region. He said the government was committed to completing Polavaram and other irrigation projects in North Andhra and Rayalaseema, and had prepared an action plan for the same.

Mr. Ramanaidu said the NDA government, both in the past and now, had prioritised the irrigation sector and would not compromise on the quality of works. He alleged that the diaphragm wall of the Polavaram project had been damaged during the previous government’s tenure. Instead of repairing the damaged structure, the present government had decided to construct a new diaphragm wall to ensure the quality and long term stability of the project.