Odisha objects to Andhra's move on Polavaram project

Bhubaneswar, July 24 (IANS) Odisha Tuesday objected to Andhra Pradesh floating tenders for the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project in that state, with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raising the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

"I understand from media reports that the government of Andhra Pradesh has called for tenders for the construction of Polavaram project and these are final stage of processing," Patnaik said in a letter sent Tuesday to the prime minister.

"If the media reports are true, this is extremely unfortunate," he stated.

The project to be built on Godavari river became controversial after Chhattisgarh and Odisha opposed it, claiming that their bordering areas would get submerged and thousands of people displaced.

The central environment ministry gave Andhra Pradesh the final clearance for diversion of 3,731.07 hectares of forest land two years ago for the project despite protests from both neighbouring states. The central authority said they cleared it on the condition that no submergence of forest land should take place in both the states.

Odisha has also petitioned the apex court against it.

"I request your kind personal intervention on the matter. Immediate orders may be issued not to proceed with the tendering process till all the case matters pending in the court are finally adjudicated and disposed off," Patnaik urged the prime minister.