Progress, quality of Polavaram project works satisfactory, says expert panel

The international Panel of Experts (PoE), which is helping the Andhra Pradesh government and Central agencies in the construction of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, stated in its 7th site visit report that the Diaphragm Wall (D-Wall) was completed on April 2, 2026 and a comprehensive QA/QC programme had been implemented for the project.

They also recorded that previous issues related to ‘bleeding’ and ‘bedrock embedment’ have been addressed and quality assurance and quality control results presented to them indicated that the specified material performance requirements were generally achieved.

The quality control / assurance manual contained the necessary information for dam construction and that the specified types and frequency of testing were being followed and materials that did not meet the specified requirements were removed and corrective works undertaken.

Updated design

The PoE stated that the updated design of the second gap in the Earth-cum-Rock Fill (ECRF) dam was based on comprehensive geological, geotechnical and engineering investigations, including permeability testing and laboratory consolidation analysis and the current design methodology represented a substantial advancement over earlier design stages.

The report has also noted that the exposed portion of the completed D-Wall appeared to be of good quality and has no visible defects.

Importantly, they said the construction quality improved in the areas of clay-core compaction and zone definition, and concluded that no major deficiencies were observed that would affect the ongoing advancement of the second gap in the ECRF dam.

The PoE recorded satisfactory progress and improved placement and compaction methods in the GAP-I of ECRF dam, and the grouting results presented to them indicated good results, while continuing documentation and monitoring were recommended as part of the project’s quality and safety management.

Further, the experts described the planned instrumentation for the dams as ‘very comprehensive’ and said the recommendations made during the previous site visit have been addressed satisfactorily.