BJD Leaders Engage with CWC Chairman on Polavaram Project Concerns
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 5 (NationPress) A prominent delegation from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), headed by senior figure and ex-minister Debi Prasad Mishra, convened with the Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Thursday to articulate serious concerns regarding the ongoing multi-purpose Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh and its potential repercussions for Odisha, especially in the Malkangiri district.
The delegation included BJD Rajya Sabha MPs Sasmit Patra, Manas Mangaraj, Sulata Deo, Niranjan Bishi, Subashis Khuntia, along with former MPs Ramesh Majhi and Pradeep Majhi, along with the party's media coordinator Priyabrata Majhi and spokesperson Bhrugu Buxipatra.
During a press conference post-meeting, Debi Mishra reiterated that the safety and welfare of the residents of Malkangiri should be the primary focus and urged the Central government to intervene and suspend the construction of the Polavaram dam until all pertinent issues are resolved.
"The issues concerning Odisha, particularly regarding the effects of the Polavaram Project on our tribal communities, have been consistently overlooked. We demand a comprehensive study of the backwater impacts and a thorough examination of the environmental and social consequences of the project. Without addressing these vital issues, no further progress on the dam should occur," Mishra stated.
The BJD delegation underscored several critical concerns about the project, including discrepancies in the submergence levels and the design flood capacity. They highlighted that the CWC's adjustment of the design flood to 50 lakh cusecs—without adequate consultation with Odisha—jeopardizes the safety and livelihoods of tribal populations in the state.
The party referenced a report from IIT Roorkee, estimating that a flood of 58 lakh cusecs could inundate vast areas in Odisha, significantly surpassing previously agreed submergence levels.
Additionally, the delegation voiced concerns regarding the insufficient resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) strategies for the tribal communities impacted by the Polavaram project, noting that proper surveys and consultations have been lacking.
The members urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti and CWC to take prompt action to conduct a new backwater study, address the safety issues of the affected communities, and ensure that the R&R process is finalized before any further work on the dam proceeds.
The BJD delegation also referenced a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, which called on the Ministry of Jal Shakti to take a leading role in addressing the technical and environmental challenges associated with the project.
They expressed disappointment that the Odisha Government's frequent appeals for action have not been sufficiently addressed.
Notably, the BJD delegation had also met with Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil in New Delhi on December 3, urging his intervention in this matter.
