AP prepares strong legal defense for Polavaram–Nallamala Link project, hearing in SC today

Vijayawada: With the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project case scheduled to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday, water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Sunday advised the legal team to put forward strong and well-substantiated arguments on behalf of the AP govt.The minister held a detailed video conference with irrigation special secretary Saiprasad, adviser Venkateswara Rao, ENC Narasimha Murthy, senior inter-state irrigation officials, and legal experts handling the case. Emphasising the importance of thorough preparation, he directed irrigation officials to ensure that all records, technical data and correspondence related to the project were promptly shared with the legal team to effectively counter objections raised by other parties.Explaining the rationale behind the project, the minister said the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link was proposed to utilise only 200 TMCs of water from nearly 3,000 TMCs that currently flow wastefully into the sea every year. He said that, as per the GWDT award, Andhra Pradesh is entitled to use the remaining waters. Being a lower riparian state in the Godavari basin, AP has the right to utilise surplus floodwaters without causing any harm to the legitimate water rights of other states.The minister said the core objective of the project is to divert surplus water that is otherwise lost to the sea to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. He said the project is aimed at transforming the region into a fertile and agriculturally prosperous area while ensuring balanced regional development within the state.Nimmala Ramanaidu said the project feasibility report was already submitted to the Centre and that the AP govt is making necessary modifications strictly in line with the suggestions and guidelines issued by the Union govt. He underlined that the state is committed to following due process at every stage of the project.Clarifying concerns over tenders floated in connection with the DPR, the minister said these were only preliminary preparatory steps intended to save time once statutory approvals are secured. He categorically stated that the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project will be taken up only after obtaining all legal, statutory, and environmental clearances.Reiterating the AP govt's stand, the minister said the project is designed in a manner that safeguards inter-state interests while optimally utilising surplus water resources for the long-term benefit of the state.