EAC Reviews Progress of Polavaram-Banakacherla Project

Quick Summary

• The Environmental Appraisal Commitee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Surroundings convened a virtual meeting on june 17, 2025, to review environmental clearance for the Godavari-Banakacherla project.
• The committee is chaired by Professor Chakrapani and is examining the pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) submitted by Andhra Pradesh’s government.
• The project aims to divert Godavari waters to the Krishna basin but requires careful evaluation due to environmental concerns.
• Subsequent permissions and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) hinge upon results from this appraisal process.
• Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam kumar Reddy has voiced objections and urged denial of approval,citing violation of Telangana’s water rights due to lack of notification or consent over plans impacting interstate water-sharing arrangements.

Source: The Hindu

Indian opinion Analysis

The EAC’s evaluation signals essential progress in formalizing large-scale inter-state water projects like Godavari-Banakacherla Link,which require environmental scrutiny before full-scale implementation. Interstate disputes on shared waterways remain complex policy challenges; claims from Telangana highlight potential risks surrounding equity in resource distribution and administrative clarity between states.

For India as a whole, such objections underline the need for complete frameworks ensuring cooperative federal principles prevail in resource-sharing negotiations while minimizing ecological impacts through scientific review processes like those conducted by EACs. This balance between developmental goals and cross-border sensitivities will be crucial as India pursues aspiring infrastructure solutions amid competing stakeholders’ demands.