**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 2379 concerning the Environmental Clearance for the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project, to be answered on December 15, 2025. The Ministry received a proposal for Terms of Reference (ToR) for an EIA study. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended the Central Water Commission (CWC) examine interstate issues and requires necessary clearance before resubmission of the project proposal for EIA study.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **EAC Appraisal:**
* The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) appraised the proposal for the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) on June 17, 2025.
* The EAC recommended examination by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on interstate issues.
* Grant of necessary clearance/ permission/ NoC is required before submission of the project proposal for framing the ToR for conducting an EIA study.
* **Project Proposal Status:**
* The project proposal (IA/AP/RIV/540417/2025, dated 05.06.2025) was returned to the Project Proponent based on the EAC's recommendations.
* **Environmental Clearance Requirements:**
* Prior Environmental Clearance (EC) is mandatory for constructing the River Valley & Hydro-electric Project under the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended.
* Clearance/permission from the Central Water Commission (CWC) regarding hydrology, layout configuration, and techno-economic clearance is a prerequisite for consideration and granting prior Environmental Clearance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Project Proponent**
* **Impact**
* The project proponent must address the CWC’s concerns regarding interstate issues and obtain necessary clearance before resubmitting the project proposal for the EIA study. They also must obtain clearance/permission from the CWC regarding hydrology, layout configuration, and techno-economic.
* **Action Required**
* Resubmit the project proposal to include an examination by the CWC on interstate issues.
* Address concerns on hydrology, layout configuration, and techno-economic.
* Obtain permission from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Key Entities Referenced
Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project: A River Valley & Hydro-electric Project for which Environmental Clearance is sought.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Study required for the proposed project.
Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC): Committee responsible for appraising the project proposal and recommending further actions.
Central Water Commission (CWC): Commission responsible for issues related to inter-state water projects, whose clearance/permission is essential.
EIA Notification, 2006: Notification mandating Environmental Clearance (EC) for River Valley & Hydro-electric Projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2379
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
Environmental Clearance to Polavaram– Banakacherla Link Project
2379. DR. MALLU RAVI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) refused to grant
Environmental Clearance for the 'Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project' proposed by
the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, citing violations of the Godavari Water
Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award and a lack of inter-State consultation, as strongly
argued by Telangana;
(b) the final directive given by the Central Government to Andhra Pradesh, following the
EAC's recommendations and the subsequent withdrawal of the project proposal in
November 2025; and
(c) the details of the mechanisms implemented/proposed to be implemented by the Central
Government to ensure that no State can proceed with planning or construction of inter-
State water projects without prior statutory clearance from the Central Water
Commission (CWC) and the relevant River Management Boards?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (b) : The Ministry had received a proposal (Proposal No. IA/AP/RIV/540417/2025),
dated 05.06.2025, seeking grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for undertaking an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla
Link Project (PBLP). The proposal was appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)
for River Valley and Hydro-electric Projects in its meeting held on 17.06.2025. The EAC has
recommended that examination by Central Water Commission (CWC) on inter-state issues and
grant of necessary clearance/ permission/ NoC is required before submission of the project
proposal for framing the TOR for conducting EIA study. Accordingly, the proposal was
returned to the Project Proponent as per the recommendations of the EAC.
(c) The prior Environmental Clearance (EC) is mandatory for undertaking construction of
River Valley & Hydro-electric Project, under the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006, as
amended. The clearance/permission from the Central Water Commission (CWC) in respect of
hydrology, layout configuration, techno-economic clearance etc. is the essential pre-requisite
for consideration and grant of prior Environmental Clearance to the project.
*****