Polavaram Irrigation Project: Location, Features, Godavari River and National Project Status

Learn about the Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh, its objectives, national project status, river interlinking role, and key facts about the Godavari River for UPSC preparation.

Table of Contents

Context

The Water Resources Department in Andhra Pradesh is focusing on completing the long-pending gap works in the Right Main Canal (RMC) of the Polavaram irrigation project in West Godavari district by June-July 2026.

Highlights of the Polavaram irrigation project

Location: Situated on the Godavari River, upstream of Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh.
Objectives: Irrigation (East/West Godavari, Krishna, Visakhapatnam), hydropower generation, and drinking water supply.
Interlinking of Rivers (ILR): Crucial for diverting surplus Godavari water to the Krishna river basin.
National Status: Declared a National Project under the AP Reorganization Act, 2014, making the central government responsible for its funding.

About Godavari River

Origin: Trimbak Plateau, Maharashtra.
Mouth: Bay of Bengal (near Kakinada/Antarvedi)
Length/Status: Largest peninsular river; known as “Dakshin Ganga.”
Left Bank Tributaries: Pranhita, Indravati, Sabari.
Right Bank Tributaries:
Major Cities: Nashik, Rajahmundry.
Major Dams: Polavaram, Jayakwadi.
Delta: Splits at Rajahmundry into a fertile delta system; divides into two distributaries namely Gautami and Vasishtha.