CM Naveen writes to PM Modi over Polavaram, reiterates Odisha’s interest

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns over the ongoing construction work of Polavaram project.

At a time when the matter is sub-judice, construction of the project is unfortunate, the CM said in the letter.

“I am concerned about the way the interests of the people of Odisha are being sacrificed in the matter of Polavaram project without addressing our legitimate concerns. It is unfortunate that the construction of the project is going on at a rapid pace despite the pendency of the matter in the Supreme Court,” the letter read.

The CM also mentioned in the letter that if the Polavaram project is permitted to proceed, a large number of villages in Odisha belonging to Scheduled Tribes will be submerged.

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“The project works are going on without conducting any public hearing in Odisha which is mandatory requirement for getting any environmental clearance. It is surprising that neither the concerns of those most affected by the project nor their involvement is sought,” Patnaik added, seeking the PM’s intervention and not to allow the construction of the project until all the pending issues are settled by the apex court.

It is worth mentioning that the Andhra Pradesh government is constructing the project on Godavari river at Polavaram, about 80 km from Motu in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.

Besides writing to the PM again, Patnaik had earlier written a letter to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu requesting that the construction work of Polavaram be stopped immediately till Odisha’s concerns were addressed.