ONI Bureau: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to stop construction of Polavaram Dam by Andhra Pradesh Government, saying it would cause permanent injury to the interest of Odisha.
The CM said, “if the project is completed before the resolution of all the pending issues, it will lead to a situation which will submerge large amount of forest area and fertile lands along with the submergence of a number of villages resulting in displacement of primitive Tribal population in Malkangiri district of Odisha.
The CM also mentioned that public hearing in Odisha has not been carried out till date. “The area where public hearing has to be carried out, depends on the exact extent of submergence in different areas lying in Malkangiri district. A detailed study of Design flood and the studies related to the back water extent during floods, will allow to make an assessment about the exact submergence in Odisha. Based on these studies only, the extent of submergence of forests, fertile lands and number of villages to be submerged, can be assessed. Without carrying out these studies and providing the information to affected persons, no meaningful public hearing of public consultation can take place”, he wrote.
“It is my earnest request to give directions to cancel the order given by MoEF & CC for Polavaram Project on 10.07.2018 and to stop the construction of the Polavaram Project until all the pending issues are resolved,” Naveen writres to Modi.