A delegation of the Utkal Samaj’s Baleswar wing led by its State general secretary Bhaskar Jena, after staging a demonstration here on Monday, submitted a memorandum to the district Collector in protest against the Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh.
The delegates said the project’s dam would spell disaster for Odisha as its height would be enhanced under the modified plan. Not only 28 villages of Odisha on the border of AP would be inundated, the forest covers would also be submerged in water round the year, they pointed out.In the UPA II regime at the Centre, the Government gave environment clearance to the project despite the fact the matter was sub-judice in the Supreme Court and the Odisha Government was protesting.
While there is a change of guard at the Centre, the Odisha Government has softened its stand now, the Utkal Samaj delegates pointed out.
“Under the circumstances, if the project goes on and is completed, it would jeopardise the interest of the State. The State Government is diluting its focus on the issue ever since the BJP Government has come to power at the Centre. We oppose this stand and will continue to do so. If the State Government fails to act on our demand, we will take the issue to the street,” said Bhaskar Jena.