Bhubaneswar: A team from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) that visited the Polavaram project met with party president and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik at his residence, Naveen Niwas, this morning to submit its report.
The team briefed Patnaik on the ground realities in the project area, stating that the project will adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of people in 236 villages across Kalimela and Podia blocks, including the Motu Panchayat of Malkangiri. The team noted that Malkangiri district typically receives significant rainfall, and the project is likely to exacerbate the situation.
Patnaik advised the team to strongly oppose the project at all levels, from Parliament to the legislative assembly and at the panchayat level. He emphasized that the Biju Janata Dal has always prioritized the protection of tribal interests and vowed that the party would continue its fight for the rights of tribals.
The BJD Polavaram team’s chairman, Debi Prasad Mishra, along with MP Munna Khan, MLA Manohar Randhari, former Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, former MLA Jhinna Hikka, Bhrugu Baxipatra, former MP Pradeep Majhi, and BJD media coordinator Priyabrat Majhi, met Patnaik at Naveen Niwas.
