SC seeks more details on Polavaram project

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned a petition, in connection with construction of mega irrigation project on Gadavari river at Polavaram, West Godavari district, in Andhra Pradesh, for four weeks seeking more details on the project.The Orissa government had moved the Supreme Court opposing the clearance given to the project by the Union Environment Ministry.I

t urged the Supreme Court to ensure that no progress should be allowed in the construction of the project as many legal disputes relating to the dam project were pending before various courts and tribunals.After hearing the petition, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, Andhra and Orissa state governments to submit complete details of the project within four weeks.Earlier, in a letter, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that no work should be allowed at the project till the disposal of the matter.

Patnaik expressed apprehension that many tribal settlements in Malkangiri district were likely to be submerged by the Polavaram project.He also opposed the decision of the government of the neighbouring State to increase the water retention capacity of the Polavaram project from 30 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs without consulting Orissa and Chhattisgarh government.