What’s up?
Despite stiff opposition from the States of Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill was passed through voice vote in the Parliament on July 14. The Bill facilitates the transfer of 205 villages from seven mandals of Telangana to Seemandhra for the Polavaram dam project. It also entails the height of the dam be increased.
What are the benefits of the dam?
The Polavaram dam is being built across the river Godavari, at Polavaram, where three districts - East Godavari, West Godavari and Khammam - meet. The project worth Rs 16,000 crores was first mooted in 1940s. The work commenced in 2004 and is scheduled to be completed by 2018. It will irrigate 7.21 lakh acres of land in Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna Districts. It will supply water for industrial and drinking purposes to the city of Visakhapatnam and to 540 villages, and generate 960 MW of power. It is also seen as part of the river linking project, as it links the Godavari River with the Krishna River by diverting 80 tmc (thousand Million Cubic feet) of the former’s waters. Polavaram is essentially a diversion scheme. It was planned to divert the surplus water from the Godavari River basin (which otherwise flows into the Bay of Bengal) to the Krishna River Basin.
Why opposition?
Like many dam projects in India, this one too will result in the displacement of lakhs of people. The project will displace around two lakh people in the three States of Telangana, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. Majority of them are tribals and dalits who depend on the forest produce for their livelihood. Biju Janata Dal MPs, activists and social organisations have been attacking the government’s indifference to the tribal communities. The proposed height of the project is 150 feet. If the height is reduced to 100 feet, as demanded by the three States, it will submerge only four villages. In fact, Andhra Pradesh wanted to raise the height by 154 feet to reduce burden on Krishna River projects.
How will the project affect biodiversity?
The Polavaram project will affect the biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats. Polavaram, when completed will submerge forests of the Papikonda National Park (in East Godavari district, West Godavari district and the Khammam district), which is close to the dam site. The northern Eastern Ghats is home to several rare species such as the Golden Gecko, the Jeypore Ground Gecko and the Abbott’s Babbler.
Why was the bill passage termed as unconstitutional?
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) opposed the bill on the grounds that the transfer of villages was being done in an unconstitutional manner. The MPs said that it violated Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution which direct that the two State Assemblies have to be consulted.
What’s government reaction?
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said there was no violation in the passing of the bill. The Bill was intended to replace the May 29- Ordinance, before the new state of Telangana came into being on June 2, 2014, he said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that the centre would take steps for rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people.
