Overview: Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy warned that the Polavaram project could create a backwater rise of 20‑25 feet, endangering Bhadrachalam and other flood‑prone mandals in Telangana. At the same time, he inspected the redevelopment of the historic Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple and set strict timelines for its completion.
Key Developments
- Minister alleged that the former BRS administration failed to prevent the merger of seven mandals and five Gram Panchayats with residual Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation.
- He warned that the backwater effect of Polavaram may lift river levels 20‑25 feet above average from Mulugu to Bhadrachalam.
- Despite no flooding this season due to El Nino, the threat remains.
- Minister announced a ₹351 crore allocation for temple redevelopment, to be completed before Mukkoti (Vaikunta) Ekadasi in December 2026 and before Sri Rama Navami in April 2027.
- He directed early completion of Uttara Dwaram and the Godavari Pushkarams works ahead of the 2027 celebrations.
Important Facts
- Seven mandals of the erstwhile composite Khammam district and five Gram Panchayats were merged with Andhra Pradesh after the 2014 bifurcation.
- Potential backwater rise could affect flood‑prone areas from Mulugu to Bhadrachalam, a stretch of over 200 km along the Godavari.
- MLAs’ memoranda to central agencies have not received a response, prompting a high‑level delegation led by CM A. Revanth Reddy to meet central officials during the Parliament session.
- Temple redevelopment budget: ₹351 crore, sanctioned earlier in 2026.
Exam Relevance
The issue touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas:
- Inter‑state water disputes – Polavaram’s backwater impact illustrates the complexities of river‑sharing between states (GS3: Environment, GS2: Polity).
- Disaster management – Anticipating flood risks and coordinating state‑central responses are key components of disaster preparedness (GS3: Governance).
- Heritage conservation – Allocation for temple redevelopment underlines the role of state governments in preserving cultural sites (GS1: Culture).
- Fiscal federalism – The ₹351 crore outlay reflects state budgeting priorities and inter‑governmental financial planning (GS3: Economy).
Way Forward
- State should commission a technical study on the projected backwater levels and propose mitigation measures such as embankments or regulated releases.
- Central agencies must respond to the memoranda and facilitate a joint committee with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to resolve the water‑sharing issue.
- Accelerate temple works while ensuring quality, adhering to Agama Shastras guidelines.
- Public awareness campaigns on flood preparedness should be launched in the vulnerable mandals before the next monsoon season.