Naveen returns, criticises Modi, Rahul for pro-Polavaram statements

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 4:

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the remarks of Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi backing the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh went against the interests of the state.

File Pic
File Pic

Patnaik, who arrived in the city from New Delhi after a 12-day trip, also assured that the government will take adequate steps to ensure people would not be affected due to the project in the neighbouring state.

“The statement of Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi on Polavaram issue is against the interest of the state. We have moved the Supreme court and will take appropriate steps to protect the interest of the state,” said Patnaik.

While the Odisha government has been opposing the height of the dam, the Union cabinet has given its nod to the idea of setting up an autonomous Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) to expedite the process of environmental and investment clearances for the controversial Polavaram multi-purpose project.

Yesterday, Odisha chief secretary JK Mohapatra had said the government is awaiting the details of the Union cabinet’s report and appropriate steps will be taken only after examining it.

The project has been stoutly opposed by neighbouring states of Odisha and Chhatisgarh on a number of grounds including inundation of their areas and displacement of tribal population due to the increase in the height of the proposed river dam.

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