National Project status for Polavaram: SC puts off hearing for 5 wks

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing on a petition granting National Project status to the Rs 12,000-crore Polavaram Irrigation Project to be constructed across the River Godavari in West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, for five weeks.

The Orissa government had moved the Supreme Court against the granting of National Project status by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to the Polavaram Irrigation Project.

Accepting the petition, the Apex Court issued notice to the Centre seeking explanation within four weeks over the Orissa government’s objections.

The Orissa government said that the project would submerge vast tracts of lands within the state’s Malkangiri district and a large number of people would have to be rehabilitated.

The Orissa government also claimed a huge chunk of forest land would be submerged due to the project and raised objection to the granting of the National Project clearance without it being consulted.