BJD leader calls for review of Polavaram project over risks to Odisha villages
Aug 13, 2024
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], August 13 : Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJD) leader Bhrugu Baxipatra stated on Tuesday that the party had visited the areas likely to be affected by the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project in Malkangiri district.
Speaking to ANI, Baxipatra said that a committee formed by BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, consisting of senior party members, had visited the areas impacted by the Polavaram project.
"There was a committee constituted by BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, which included senior party leaders mostly from the undivided Koraput district. The committee was chaired by the former Chief Minister. We visited the areas that will be affected by the Polavaram project in Malkangiri district. We met people from the Motu and Podia blocks, which are at high risk, as well as residents of Andhra Pradesh villages under threat due to the project," he said.
He added that the Polavaram project threatens to submerge 200 villages in the Motu and Podia blocks. However, he noted that there is no official information about the dam's height.
"The threat is that nearly 200 villages in the Motu and Podia blocks will be submerged. We were informed that the dam's height would be 150 feet, but there is no official confirmation, so the full impact on Malkangiri district remains unclear. Heavy rains have already caused these villages to submerge, affecting tribals, wildlife, and residents. The full impact is still unknown," he added.
Baxipatra also criticized the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore to the Polavaram project in the Union budget, with a completion deadline of February 2026, noting that the Odisha government was not consulted and no surveys were conducted.
"In the Union budget, Rs 15,000 crore was allocated to Polavaram, with a commitment to complete the project by February 2026. This is alarming because the Odisha government was not consulted and no surveys were conducted. We also do not know what compensation will be provided to the people of Malkangiri. The entire Motu block will be submerged," he claimed.
He called on the central government to reconsider the project and reiterated BJD's opposition to Polavaram.
"Our appeal to the Government of India is to reconsider the project. We oppose the Polavaram project, which will severely impact not only Odisha but also neighbouring states. We urge the government to make decisions considering the welfare of the people. We have submitted an extensive report on the potential damages, and all decisions should prioritize the people of Odisha," he added.
