Polavaram Project Halted: Expert Panel Raises Alarming Construction Concerns

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A high-stakes inspection by a team of international experts and Central Water Commission (CWC) engineers has revealed critical construction flaws in the Polavaram major irrigation project, a $1.4 billion dam being built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. The panel, comprising experts from the US and Canada, raised technical red flags over the alignment of the earth-cum-rock-fill (ECRF) dam's design, citing a high risk of structural failure under extreme flood pressure. According to sources, the experts expressed concern over 'bleeding issues' observed in the dam's wall, prompting a call for urgent remedial action. They also instructed the contractor, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), and the state irrigation department to provide comprehensive data on sample ECRF sections, highlighting a deficiency in compaction methodology. To mitigate potential risks, the CWC authorities have ordered measures to protect the core, filter, shell, and foundation of the ECRF dam from internal erosion and piping, even in cases of extreme flooding. The experts have also recommended a fresh derivation of the diaphragm wall's top elevation, as well as an increase in the thickness of the clay cap above the wall to prevent water seepage and sinkholes. Furthermore, the panel has called for a stringent seismic analysis study to assess the dam's stability under Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) conditions. This will ensure that the dam can safely withstand strong earthquakes without relying on non-conservative assumptions. The findings of the expert panel have significant implications for the project's timeline and budget, with the authorities now forced to address these critical construction concerns before proceeding with the project.