Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asserted that the objections raised by Orissa over the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project on river Godavari were “not valid.”
Replying to a question during a brief interaction with newsmen in the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister also said there was no question of Andhra Pradesh conducting a public hearing on the Polavaram project in Orissa and Chattisgarh as directed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
“How can we conduct a public hearing in those states? We have already taken adequate measures to prevent submergence of land in those States. The MoEF accorded environmental clearance for Polavaram only after that,” Mr. Rosaiah pointed out.
The Chief Minister said the State government would “reply suitably” to the MoEF letter seeking an explanation on the construction of Polavaram.
“The Irrigation department will be replying to the MoEF letter. I have been trying to talk to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh since yesterday but could not get across to him. I am writing a letter to Mr. Ramesh today appraising the need for giving early clearance for Polavaram,” Mr. Rosaiah added.
The Chief Minister recalled that he had spoken “more than once” with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requesting them to expedite the process of granting national status for Polavaram.
“Not only Polavaram, we are also requesting national status for Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project but it is yet to get some clearances from the Centre,” he pointed out.
