Bhubaneswar claimed that the Polavaram project in neighboring Andhra Pradesh “is an existential threat to the tribals in Malkangiri district of Odisha”, the opposition BJD asked the Center on Wednesday to issue “stop-work” order on construction of the project until the basic issues were resolved.
A delegation of the regional party, which is strongly opposing the “unilateral” design change of the Polavaram project by the government, held a detailed discussion with the Union Water Power Minister CR Patil and also met the Chairman of the Central Water Commission in New Delhi.
During both meetings, the delegation raised the severe and unresolved concerns of Odisha, especially related to the severe submerged effect of the Polarm Project on Malakangiri district, which threatens the lives, land and livelihoods of thousands of people of the thousands of weaker tribal debers, which was said by BJD Senior Vice-Private PTI.
Mishra said that the delegation reminded the Ministry of Water Power that he had a previous meeting on the matter with CWC in December last year, resulting in assurance of concrete action to remove Odisha’s apprehensions. However, despite repeated reminder, no adequate steps have been taken to protect Odisha’s interests, and the only official communication received so far from the meeting held on August 28, 2024, he said.
Expressing deep despair, the delegation said that the Ministry of Water Power and CWC have “failed” to work in accordance with the Supreme Court’s instructions, which clearly stated that the Ministry and CWC should play a leading role in confusing all stakeholders and reviewing technical, environmental, and performance concerns.
Mishra said that recent approval For the completion of the project, 17,936 crore by the Center has further increased the possibility of displacement and ecological damage without Odisha’s consent or fixed consultation.
Earlier, on 28 February, 2025, the Polavaram Action Committee, which included tribal communities affected by Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, also opposed the continuous unilateral execution of the project, which expressed deep pain over the lack of sympathy and responsibility to the officials concerned.
Between major demands, the BJD delegation demanded immediate clarification on unilateral amendment of the design of 36 lakh to 50 lakh to 50 lakh cusecs without consultation consultation, especially in the light of the findings of the IIT ROORKEE, and a technical review of the proposed festivals on MOTU.
The BJD also demanded the participation of neutral and independent agencies to assess backwater effects, including stakeholder counseling, compulsory by the Supreme Court, to build consensus and cooperation in the high-level meeting of all the stake chief ministers, compulsory by the Supreme Court, compulsory by the Supreme Court. Polavaram -Babkarla link project and others.
“The BJD leadership has firmly urged the federal government and the Central Water Commission to work in the spirit of cooperative federalism, maintain constitutional obligations and ensure justice for the tribal communities of Odisha, which are facing existential threats due to the arbitrary expansion and unfamiliar implementation of the Polvaram project,” Mishra said.
The BJD leader said that this is not just a regional concern, but a matter of human rights, environment justice and federal integrity.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without amending the text.
