India's Centre Returns Polavaram‑Banakacherla Project Proposal for Review

The Union Environment Ministry has sent back to Andhra Pradesh the proposal for granting Terms of Reference (ToR) for an environmental impact assessment of the Polavaram‑Banakacherla Link Project. The Expert Appraisal Committee recommended that the Central Water Commission examine inter‑state water issues and that the project be cleared for any potential breach of the 1980 Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal award before proceeding.

Telangana officials welcomed the decision, saying it safeguards the state's Godavari water rights. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s meetings with senior Union ministers and officials in Delhi were cited as instrumental in prompting the review. Andhra Pradesh’s water resources department acknowledged the return, stating it will address the requested clarifications, obtain CWC approval of its pre‑feasibility report, and resubmit a revised proposal.

The episode underscores the ongoing political and technical dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over water allocation from the Godavari River.