The BJP has come down heavily on the State Government for it remaining mum on the June 21 judgment of the Vanshadhara Water Dispute Tribunal favouring construction of the Neradi barrage project by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
After visiting the affected areas of Gajapati district in a party delegation, BJP State general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra told media here that the Andhra Government has started field work and plans are afoot to hold a foundation-stone laying event. He said because of the inefficiency and inactiveness of the Odisha Government, as many as 2,000 acres of farmland in Gajapati and Rayagada districts would be submerged and thousands of farmers and tribals would be displaced.
The lands which are going to be affected are 300 acres of Sara village, 40 acres of Badigaon and 400 acres of Palsing village. The BJP delegation also apprehended that many areas of Gunpur and Gudari are going to be submerged if the project comes up. It is unfortunate that while Andhra Pradesh is plundering the resources of Odisha, the Naveen Patnaik has chosen to maintain silent, they said.
The BJP delegation included Paralakhemundi MLA K Narayan Rao and Kashinagar block chairperson CH Simadri.