Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu set October 2026 as the target to complete the Polavaram irrigation project.

Addressing a press conference at the project site in Eluru district on Monday, Naidu emphasised the need for meticulous planning and clear timelines to meet this goal.

"We have set a target to complete the project by (October) 2026. I instructed the officials to work out the minutest details," Naidu said, adding that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be established to ensure progress on each component of the project.

The Chief Minister directed officials to focus on critical milestones, including the completion of the new diaphragm wall by December 2025, despite officials proposing a March 2026 deadline. 

Naidu highlighted that simultaneous work on the diaphragm wall and the earth-cum-rock-filled (ECRF) dam would expedite the process.