Govt accepts proposals to construct 15 dams: LS

60 major, medium and multipurpose proposals, including spillover, involving construction of dams have been received from state govts

The Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources has accepted proposals for construction of 15 dams, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for Water Resources Santosh Kumar Gangwar said, 60 major, medium and multipurpose proposals, including spillover, involving construction of dams have been received from state governments during the XII Five Year Plan.

Out of which, 15 proposals for dams have been accepted by the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources, Gangwar said.

To another question on Polavaram Multipurpose Project, he said, the Detailed Project Report of Polavaram project with an estimated cost of Rs 10,151.04 crore at 2005-06 price level was accorded investment clearance by the Planning Commission on 25.02.2009.

"The Revised Cost Estimate of the project for Rs 16,010.45 crore at 2010-11 price level was accepted by the Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources in its 108th meeting held on 04.01.2011. But investment clearance has not been accorded," he added.

As per the Ministry of Environment and Forest, he said, a total of 1,93,357 persons are likely to be affected by the Polavaram Project.

"In pursuance of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Central government has constituted the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) and its governing body for execution of the project and obtaining all requisite clearances including environmental, forests and rehabilitation and resettlement norms," Gangwar said.