New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre’s response to concerns about the potential submergence of Odisha’s Malkangiri district due to Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project.
A delegation comprising current and former MPs, senior leaders, and MLAs from the BJD met officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Central Water Commission (CWC), and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) over the past three days to press for urgent action.
Speaking at a press conference, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said the delegation was “dissatisfied” with the Centre’s responses. “There is no clarity on how many people will be affected or the extent of land submergence in Odisha. The Centre’s silence on Polavaram could have dire consequences for the tribal communities of Malkangiri,” he stated.
Patra also criticized the alleged changes to the project design, pointing out that the design flood discharge capacity had been increased from 36 lakh to 50 lakh cusecs without proper consultations. He noted that this revision posed a heightened threat to Malkangiri’s vulnerable tribal communities.
Debi Prasad Mishra, a senior BJD leader leading the delegation, highlighted key issues in a formal memorandum submitted to multiple departments. He raised concerns over inadequate resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) measures and the lack of attention to backwater studies, which are critical to assessing the full impact of the project.
The delegation underscored discrepancies in backwater impact studies, with earlier estimates suggesting backwater levels of 174.22 feet for the original design capacity of 36 lakh cusecs. However, recent studies indicate backwater levels could rise to 232.28 feet with the revised flood discharge capacity. Mishra criticized the Centre for failing to conduct proper consultations or address compensation plans for the affected communities.
The delegation also pointed out that Odisha’s tribal communities remain highly vulnerable due to the lack of comprehensive safety measures and public hearings. Mishra called on the Centre to conduct a fresh backwater study, identify the extent of submergence, and implement robust R&R measures to safeguard the livelihoods of those at risk.
The delegation urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to act on the Supreme Court’s advice for proactive stakeholder consultations. “The people of Malkangiri cannot be left to suffer the consequences of these unilateral changes,” said Patra, adding that continued inaction could worsen tensions between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The Polavaram project, a major initiative for Andhra Pradesh, has long been a contentious issue, with Odisha and Chhattisgarh opposing it due to its potential cross-border impacts. The project’s revised design has reignited inter-state water disputes, intensifying the demands for resolution.
