Polavaram project sparks protest in Malkangiri | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: A protest against the Polavaram multi-purpose interstate water project was organised at Motu tehsil office ground in Malkangiri district on Friday. The demonstration, led by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and supported by the BJD, saw representatives from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana unite against the project.
Protesters claimed the dam, located about 80 kilometres from Motu, would impact over 100 villages and around 4,000 hectares of agricultural and forest land in the tehsil.
Addressing the protest virtually, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the project’s impact on tribal families. “The project will submerge parts of Motu region, rendering numerous tribal families homeless,” the former CM said.
Former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi (BJD) criticized the Centre’s Rs 18,000 crore approval for the project’s completion “without consulting affected states or local communities.”
BJP’s Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, however, dismissed the protest as a “political stunt” by the BJD. “The BJD is desperate after losing the elections last year and is trying to rebuild itself with false narratives,” Balabhadra alleged. He also questioned BJD’s stance, noting that the project had received national project status in 2012 under the UPA govt.
The controversy centres around the project’s water storage capacity. Former BJD minister Debi Prasad Mishra pointed out that while the Godavari water disputes tribunal (GWDT) had approved a capacity of 36 lakh cusecs, the central water commission increased it to 50 lakh cusecs in 2006, allegedly without consultation.
Balabhadra, meanwhile, assured proper rehabilitation for affected residents, stating both the Centre and state are committed to their welfare.
JAC convenor Manas Madkami, however, demanded an immediate halt to construction until submergence concerns are addressed. The JAC is also planning to approach the Supreme Court for a stay on construction.
Protesters claimed the dam, located about 80 kilometres from Motu, would impact over 100 villages and around 4,000 hectares of agricultural and forest land in the tehsil.
Addressing the protest virtually, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the project’s impact on tribal families. “The project will submerge parts of Motu region, rendering numerous tribal families homeless,” the former CM said.
Former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi (BJD) criticized the Centre’s Rs 18,000 crore approval for the project’s completion “without consulting affected states or local communities.”
BJP’s Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, however, dismissed the protest as a “political stunt” by the BJD. “The BJD is desperate after losing the elections last year and is trying to rebuild itself with false narratives,” Balabhadra alleged. He also questioned BJD’s stance, noting that the project had received national project status in 2012 under the UPA govt.
The controversy centres around the project’s water storage capacity. Former BJD minister Debi Prasad Mishra pointed out that while the Godavari water disputes tribunal (GWDT) had approved a capacity of 36 lakh cusecs, the central water commission increased it to 50 lakh cusecs in 2006, allegedly without consultation.
Balabhadra, meanwhile, assured proper rehabilitation for affected residents, stating both the Centre and state are committed to their welfare.
JAC convenor Manas Madkami, however, demanded an immediate halt to construction until submergence concerns are addressed. The JAC is also planning to approach the Supreme Court for a stay on construction.
