New Delhi: The multi-purpose Polavaram project is the "lifeline" of Andhra Pradesh and it is not going to affect any other state, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said here today.
Addressing an event, in which NABARD issued a cheque of Rs 1,981 crore to Andhra Pradesh as assistance for the project, Naidu said "misgivings or fears", if any, about the project will be discussed in due course of time.
Odisha has reportedly raised objections over the design and back water calculations of the project.
Also Read: Polavaram project started with Odisha’s consent: Uma Bharati
"It is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh. It is not going to affect any other state. If there are any other misgivings or fears, we will discuss those in due course of time," the Union Minister said.
On reports of Odisha opposing the project, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who too attended the event, said both the Centre and the state government are "completing formalities" and refused to speak more on the issue.
The Odisha government has been reportedly raising objections over design flood and back water calculations of the project, which the Andhra Pradesh government plans to complete by 2018.