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United News of India

BJD raises concern over unilateral progress of Polavaram Project by AP Government

Bhubaneswar, May 20 (UNI) Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Debi Mishra on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the continued violations and unilateral progress of the Polavaram Project by the Andhra Pradesh Government, allegedly with active support from the Centre. Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Mishra emphasized that Odisha's interests—particularly those of tribal communities in Malkangiri—must not be compromised. He noted that the Polavaram Project, which was originally approved in 2006 with a discharge capacity of 36 lakh cusecs, was later unilaterally revised to 56 lakh cusecs. This, he said, was a clear violation of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations. Mishra alleged that the revised capacity was implemented without the consent of Odisha or other riparian states, raising serious concerns about potential submergence and displacement in Odisha. Responding to allegations from the BJP-led Odisha Government that the previous BJD administration had neglected the issue, Mishra reminded that it was the BJD government that filed the original suit in the Supreme Court. 'We fought politically—in Parliament, in the Assembly, and on the ground,' Mishra stated, adding that even former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held direct consultations with affected tribal communities in 2024. He further pointed out that work on the project has continued despite the absence of forest and environmental clearances and a stop-work order issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2011. The granting of National Project status in 2014, following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, only accelerated these violations, Mishra said. He also flagged the absence of a fresh backwater study after the design change as a critical concern, one that the BJD has repeatedly highlighted. Conflicting flood level estimates from institutions like IIT Roorkee, he added, further underscore the uncertainty and risk faced by tribal communities in downstream Odisha. Mishra criticized the current Odisha Government under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for its passive stance despite having been in office for a year. He pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its order dated September 6, 2022, had directed the convening of a high-level stakeholder meeting—a directive yet to be implemented. He urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Environment to convene such a meeting by the end of this month. In a startling revelation, Mishra claimed that the Prime Minister has called a meeting on May 28 to review the Polavaram Project, but Odisha's Chief Minister and concerned ministers appear unaware of it. 'This raises doubts about Odisha's representation and whether the state's interests will be effectively defended,' he said. BJD leaders emphasized that the Polavaram issue is intrinsically linked to the survival and rights of Odisha's tribal communities and must be handled with full transparency and accountability. The party stated that it has submitted memoranda to central ministries, demanding a fresh backwater impact study and the proper implementation of rehabilitation and compensation plans, based on reports such as those of the Gopal Krishna Committee and the Moily Commission, which remain unaddressed. Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Odisha's people, especially tribal communities, the BJD called upon Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to clarify his stance before the May 28 meeting. UNI DP BD