The Supreme Court, on Monday, adjourned hearing on a petition granting National project status to the Rs. 12,000 crore Polavaram irrigation project to be constructed across the river Godavari in West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, for 5 weeks.
The Orissa government had moved the Supreme Court against the granting of National project status by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) to the Polavaram irrigation project.
Accepting the petition, the Apex Court issued a notice to the Centre, seeking an explanation within 4 weeks over the Orissa government's objections.
The Orissa government said that the project would submerge vast tracts of lands within the state's Malkangiri district, and that a large number of people would have to be rehabilitated.
The Orissa government also claimed that a huge chunk of forest land would be submerged due to the project, and raised objection to the granting of the National project clearance without it being consulted.
Courtesy: INN
filed in:Odisha, Water Projects, Reservoirs & Dams, Polavaram Project