Expert team continues inspection of Polavaram project for second day

International expert Sean Hinchberger continued the second-day inspection of the Polavaram irrigation project along with officials from the Central and State Water Resources Departments on Thursday.

The team examined Gap-1 and Gap-2 of the diaphragm wall on the first day and concentrated on the borrow soil used in the Earth-Rock Filling (ECRF) dam works.

The team examined soil storage areas, researching where the soil was collected and the quality tests performed before use. Officials informed the expert that the material would be used only after certification by the Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS) and internal quality checks.

Later, Central Water Commission Chief Engineer Sarabjit Singh Bakshi chaired a review meeting where officials explained the ECRF works, retaining wall construction and dewatering plans through a presentation.

Meanwhile, the CSMRS expert team completed technical testing at the project site, including evaluations at Gap-2, to examine the rock-filled section’s ability to withstand water flow conditions.