Andhra's Polavaram Dam just broke world record for weirdest reason
The concrete work of the much-awaited Polavaram dam in Andhra Pradesh began at 8am on January 6, and concluded at 8am on January 7. And, in those 24 hours, the dam entered the Guinness Book of World Records for an unexpected reason. It broke the world record for the most continuous concrete poured within 24 hours, i.e., 32,100 cubic meters of concrete. Here's more.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister tweets the official statement
Before Polavaram, record was held by Dubai-based contractor
Guinness World Record authorities were present at the site since Sunday, and captured the progress via drones. They entered it under the 'largest concrete pour' category (yes it exists!). Previously, the record was held by Dubai-based Abdul Wahed Bin Shabib of RALS Contracting LLC and Alfa Eng. Consultant in 2017. His company poured 21,580 cubic meters of concrete in two days.
Project will supply 7.32 tmc drinking water to Visakhapatnam
The under-construction multipurpose project on the Godavari river will come as a rescue to the existing water crisis in the state. The project is expected to supply 7.32 tmc of drinking water to Visakhapatnam and 16.12 tmc of water for industrial purposes. Other states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh will also gain 5 tmc and 1.5 tmc of water respectively from the project.
Andhra Pradesh government spent Rs. 15,380 crore on the project
According to reports, 63.27% of the construction work has been completed so far. Navayuga Engineering is constructing the dam, and will complete it this year itself. Andhra Pradesh government has spent Rs. 15,380.97 crore on the project, and the Center has reimbursed Rs. 6,727.26 crore of the state government's money. The Center is yet to give Rs. 3,517.84 crore for the remaining expenses.
Report says 400,00 people might be affected due to project
The dam also received the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) award last week for speedy execution of the project. Further, it has been recognized for the utilitarian use of water resources, better planning, and implementation. However, the dam has faced criticisms from many activists. A media report found that almost 400,000 people could be adversely impacted due to the irrigation project.
EIA on dam had said 1.8lakh people would be affected
This contradicts the data given by the Government-conducted environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the Polavaram project. The EIA had said 276 villages with 1,77,275 people will be affected. However, last September, Down to Earth magazine published a report, saying according to Census 2001, population of these villages is much higher, and in the past decade, it might have increased to an estimated 4,00,000 people.
