The Andhra Pradesh government is actively seeking approval from the central government for the second phase of the Polavaram irrigation project, located on the Godavari River. As phase-I progresses rapidly, with the diaphragm wall completed and dam construction underway, officials are optimistic about meeting the target of completion by March 2024, ahead of the initial June 2027 deadline. The project aims to impound water up to 41.15 meters in phase-I, while phase-II will increase this to 45.72 meters, allowing for a total storage capacity of 194.60 tmc (thousand million cubic feet). However, the second phase presents a larger challenge, as it will displace 106,006 families, with rehabilitation efforts still pending for 67,946 of them. The Union Jal Sakthi ministry has emphasized the need for clear timelines for land acquisition and rehabilitation to ensure that all affected families are compensated before water impoundment begins. Additionally, discussions are ongoing to address submergence concerns raised by neighboring states including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, with joint surveys planned to clarify potential impacts.