New Delhi: The Central Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has declined to grant environmental clearance for the Polavaram-Banakacharla project, citing legal and procedural concerns. The committee stated that multiple objections remain unresolved and emphasised the need to examine the verdict of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) before proceeding further.
The EAC reviewed a report submitted by the Andhra Pradesh government, which claimed that the Banakacharla component could be executed without issues. However, the panel observed that the project appears to contravene the 1983 GWDT ruling. It recommended that the Central Water Commission (CWC) be consulted mandatorily as part of the environmental clearance process.
The committee further advised that a detailed study be conducted on the water storage aspects of the project. It also stressed that all statutory approvals involving both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana must be secured. Full environmental clearance, the EAC clarified, can be considered only after a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is completed.