Polavaram row: No need for another backwater study, Centre to SC

New Delhi: There is no need for another backwater study of the Polavaram project as similar type of study was carried out in 2011 by the Gopalakrishna Committee, the Centre told the Supreme Court today.

While hearing a petition filed by the Odisha government which has claimed that the project is being undertaken without environmental clearance, the apex court had directed the Centre to produce details of the backwater study.

The apex court wanted to know the exact impact assessment report in case the 50,000-lakh-cusecs capacity Polavaram project gets flood water, but the Centre has clarified that such a study was unnecessary.

The court has fixed November 15 for final hearing on the petition filed by the Odisha government and Hyderabad-based NGO – Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA).

Last month, the SC had issued notices to the Central government and Andhra Pradesh after objections were raised by the Odisha government on environment clearance granted to Polavaram.

The Telangana government has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking a detailed survey while Odisha has been opposing the Polavaram project claiming that it is against the interests of the people of State.