Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not provided with complete facts on the Polavaram project before the new Union Cabinet at its first meeting took its decision on the project, BJP State president KV Singh Deo has commented.
Stating that the project of Andhra Pradesh would submerge several tribal villages in south Odisha, Singh Deo said under no circumstances would the State’s interests be allowed to be overlooked.
He said that in the State’s interest he on behalf of the BJP would submit to the Prime Minister all relevant facts pertaining to the Polavaram project and request him to accord priority to Odisha’s interests. He said the Centre has to hold joint consultations with Odisha and Chhattisgarh as many villages in these States would be submerged once the project becomes operational.
The decision to go ahead with the project should be taken only after this consultative process, Singh Deo said.
He said he strongly believes that the Polavaram project construction work cannot continue before the Supreme Court pronounces its verdict on the multiple petitions that are pending before it.