Why is BJD protesting against Polavaram Multipurpose Project? Breaking news

The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has renewed its protest against the development of the Polavaram multi-purpose project in Andhra Pradesh, alleging that the project would submerge a large part of the tribal population in Odisha’s Malkangiri.

On Wednesday (December 4), a delegation of BJD met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and senior central government officials to demand a fresh backwater study of the project.

Officials termed BJD’s move as a “political stunt” as according to them 75% of the project has been developed.

Here’s a look at why the BJD is protesting against the project, what the party did when it was in power in Odisha to block the project, and which other states have raised concerns.

First, what is the Polavaram Multipurpose Project?

The project is an inter-state project on the Godavari River that was conceived as part of the recommendations of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) in 1980. On 2 April 1980, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha executed an agreement to clear the construction of the project with a full reservoir level of 150 feet and a spillway discharging capacity of 3.6 lakh cusecs.

The Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Act (APRA), 2014 declared the project a national project, the central government executes the project and obtains all necessary approvals as per environmental, forest, rehabilitation and rehabilitation norms.

In 2016, it was decided that the Center would provide 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component of the project for the period beginning April 1, 2014 only.

Location of Polavaram Multipurpose Project. (Credit: Google Maps)

What are the concerns raised by BJD?

The BJD alleged that significant changes have been made to the original design of the flood discharge capacity, increasing the capacity from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs. The party claims this was done without adequate consideration of the backwater impact on the upstream states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh (formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh), which could affect the population of Malkangiri who are at risk of losing their land and homes. About 162 villages of Malkangiri are likely to be inundated due to the project.

The BJD also claims that the change in flood discharge design will increase the maximum backwater level in Odisha to 174.22 feet – it should be 150 feet as mentioned earlier to limit inundation in the state.

The party alleged that the CWC had refused to conduct a fresh backwater study for the revised design despite the recommendations of experts and concerns of the Odisha government. It also cited various studies on submergence level estimates. For example, a 2009 study conducted by Andhra Pradesh showed that 50 lakh cusecs of flood discharge submerged Odisha up to 216 feet. A 2019 report by IIT Roorkee estimated that a flood discharge of 58 lakh cusecs would result in an inundation level of 232.28 feet in Odisha.

What steps did BJD take when it was in power?

BJD ruled Odisha from 2000 to 2024 and this project is A political issue For a long time party.

In 2007, the party filed a case in the Supreme Court against the project. It had challenged the permission granted by various central agencies.

Challenging the project, the party also filed various interlocutory petitions in the Supreme Court. As the chief minister of the state, Naveen Patnaik wrote several letters to Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who were prime ministers during the UPA regime, asking them to stop construction of the project and conduct a fresh study on its impact on Odisha. .

Why is BJD making the project an issue now?

After losing power to the BJP in the state, the BJD has intensified its voice against the project, seeing it as a shot in the arm as it struggles to maintain its regional party image.

The party is trying to corner the BJP by developing a narrative that it is ignoring Odisha’s interest in helping other states like Andhra Pradesh where it is in power with its allies.

Have other states also raised concerns about the project?

Apart from Odisha, Chhattisgarh in 2011 and Telangana in 2019 (after bifurcation from Andhra Pradesh) also challenged the permission granted to the project and its impact on their respective states in the Supreme Court.

On April 11, 2011, the Supreme Court nominated former CWC member M Gopalakrishnan and other CWC members to inspect the Polavaram Dam and submit a report verifying whether the construction of the dam was by GWDT orders. After the field visit, two reports were submitted in June 2011. Both the reports concluded that the planning and limited construction activities of the Polavaram project were consistent with the approved project and GWDT provisions. Thereafter, the court accordingly consolidated all the issues and the case is pending.

Leave a Comment