Hyderabad, Aug. 8 -- The Centre's financial assistance for the Polavaram major irrigation project on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh is limited to approved irrigation components of Phase-I, restricting water impounding to 41.15 metres, a statement tabled by Union minister of state for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chowdary in the Lok Sabha on Thursday said.

The statement, made in a written reply to a question by YSR Congress Party MP P V Midhun Reddy, said the Centre had approved Rs.30,436.95 crore for Phase-I of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, covering water storage up to an elevation of +41.15 metres at 2023 price levels.

"Of this, the balance Central grant has been capped at Rs.12,157.53 crore. The Centre had already released Rs.5,51...