YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy alleges that CM Naidu is taking credit for the Polavaram Left Main Canal, 79 % of which was completed during his father’s tenure, and blames the 2014‑19 period for structural damage.

  • 79 % of the Polavaram Left Main Canal was finished under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s government.
  • Naidu’s 2014‑19 spillway and cofferdam work left the dam’s foundations damaged.
  • Jagan Mohan Reddy accuses Naidu of falsely claiming credit for projects started by his father.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is taking credit for the Polavaram Left Main Canal, a work that was largely completed during his father’s tenure.

History of the Polavaram Project

The Polavaram multipurpose project aims to divert Godavari water to North Andhra. Construction of the Left Main Canal began in 2005 and by 2014 roughly 79 % of the work was completed under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s administration.

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Purushothapatnam Lift Scheme

The Purushothapatnam lift scheme, also built during the YSR era, is now being presented by Naidu as his own achievement, prompting Jagan to label the claim as “desperation.”

The project was launched under YSR’s leadership and its benefits should accrue to the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Damages During Naidu’s Tenure

Jagan warned that the 2014‑19 Naidu government only partially completed the spillway and cofferdam, causing water to seep through gaps and damage the main dam’s foundations, including the diaphragm wall. This has limited the reservoir’s usable storage level.

Current Status and Funding Requests

The YSRCP government has since completed the remaining approach channel, spill channel, and cofferdam works, and is now seeking central funds to raise the water level from the current 41.15 m to the full 45.72 m design level.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that delayed completion of Polavaram not only hampers irrigation potential for over 2 million hectares but also affects power generation targets of 960 MW, thereby impacting Andhra Pradesh’s economic growth and water security in the Deccan plateau.

Did You Know?: Polavaram is one of India’s largest multi‑purpose water projects, with an estimated total cost of around ₹1.5 lakh crore.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the current completion percentage of the Polavaram Left Main Canal?
  • How is the damage caused during 2014‑19 being remedied?

Jagan Mohan Reddy has pressed Naidu for clarification on the dam’s height, storage limits, and the status of the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi (USS) scheme, demanding swift action to finish the project.