Polavaram project lacks valid clearance, says BJD; warns of stir

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) warned on Friday that it will take to the streets if the interests of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha’s Malkangiri district are compromised by the Polavaram irrigation project, which the Opposition party alleges is progressing without “valid environmental clearances” from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for its revised parameters.

Addressing a press conference, senior BJD vicepresident Debi Prasad Mishra said as per the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, the project’s specifications included a flood discharge capacity of 36 lakh cusecs, a dam height of 140 feet, and a maximum flood discharge level of 150 feet.

“The maximum submergence level at Konta point, where the Saberi and Sileru rivers meet, was fixed at 174.22 feet. However, in 2006, the project was unilaterally revised to a flood discharge capacity of 50 lakh cusecs without consulting affected States, including Odisha, on its impact,” he said.

Mr. Mishra said that the Ministry had repeatedly kept its ‘Stop Work Order’ in abeyance without conducting any public hearing in Odisha’s affected areas, despite statutory requirements. Odisha has also moved the Supreme Court challenging various clearances granted to the project in violation of environmental norms.

He said the Andhra Pradesh government’s backwater study, based on the revised 50 lakh cusec capacity, placed the submergence level at Konta at 220 feet. A study by IIT Roorkee, commissioned by the Odisha government, estimated the discharge at 58 lakh cusecs and projected the submergence level at 232 feet. The BJD has demanded a fresh study.