Odisha objects to natl status for Polavaram

Plan panel to consider views of concerned states

New Delhi: Odisha stiffly resisted the Andhra Pradesh Government's request for granting the National Project status for Polavaram at the Planning Commission Investment Committee meeting here on Friday. The meeting was attended by officials of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The Planning Commission said it would consider the objections raised by the two states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and then take a view on the request made by Andhra . However, no date for the next meeting has yet been decided upon. Since Andhra Pradesh has urged the Centre to declare Polavaram Project as a National Project, the Planning Commission Investment Committee had to meet to consider it.

Before approving it, it has also to take on board the concerns of the affected states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. While both the states have objections, it was Odisha that resisted the move of Andhra Pradesh.A Andhra Pradesh offered to build bunds in the submerged areas. Alternatively, it offered a compensation package to the affected states. But the same was rejected.

Odisha insisted that in the submerged regions of the state, no public hearings were held. A Besides, court cases were pending and unless and until the court cases are concluded, National Project status to Polavaram Project should not be accorded.