BJD Seeks Fresh Review of Polavaram Project, Flags Threat to Odisha’s Tribal Communities
Party submits memorandum to CWC, demands halt on construction until concerns are addressed
Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its opposition to the Polavaram Project, submitting a detailed memorandum to the Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) in New Delhi. The party has demanded a reassessment of submergence levels and a revision of the project’s design to safeguard Odisha’s Malkangiri district, where thousands of tribal people face the risk of displacement.
Expressing serious concern, the party noted that the project—being executed by Andhra Pradesh with central funding—could inundate vast stretches of tribal-dominated areas in Malkangiri, directly threatening the livelihoods of people, particularly members of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
In its memorandum, the BJD urged the CWC to immediately issue a stop-work order to the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Union Government until Odisha’s demands are addressed. It also called for the initiation of a consultative process involving all Chief Ministers of the affected states, with the CWC taking the lead in ensuring that tribal communities’ safety and livelihoods remain a top priority.
The party emphasized the need for proper surveys and identification of submerged areas before allowing further progress on the project. “Ignoring the plight of Odisha’s tribal population would not only amount to injustice but could also trigger irreversible social and economic damage,” the memorandum stated.
The BJD has repeatedly highlighted that despite Odisha’s persistent concerns, the CWC has so far refused to conduct a fresh backwater study to account for the revised design flood. According to the party, this omission poses significant risks for people living in the submergence zone.
The memorandum also recalled the Supreme Court’s 2022 observation, which stated that the expansion of the Polavaram Project would necessitate additional technical reports and fresh environmental clearances. “By pushing ahead without addressing these requirements, the Centre is overlooking both legal and humanitarian considerations,” the BJD argued.
The party voiced strong opposition to the Union Government’s recent sanction of ₹17,936 crore for the completion of the Polavaram Project. It alleged that this decision was taken without adequately considering Odisha’s repeated objections and without ensuring the participation of affected stakeholders.
The memorandum further pointed out that the project’s revised design flood discharge capacity has raised widespread apprehension in Malkangiri, where people fear losing their ancestral lands, homes, and access to forest-based livelihoods.
The BJD accused the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh Government of sidelining Odisha in the decision-making process. It argued that the project is being implemented without meaningful consultation with Odisha, while public hearings and community consultations have either been delayed or ignored altogether.
“Odisha’s voice has consistently been left out of critical decisions, even though the state’s people stand to lose the most. Such disregard undermines the principles of cooperative federalism,” the memorandum noted.
In conclusion, the BJD urged the Central Water Commission to take immediate steps to address Odisha’s concerns. It called for a scientific reassessment of the project’s likely impact on Malkangiri, strict adherence to Supreme Court directives, and the initiation of a transparent consultative process.
The party underscored that ensuring the safety, livelihood, and dignity of tribal populations must remain central to any decision on Polavaram. Until these concerns are resolved, it insisted that work on the project should not proceed.
