The State government is trying to clarify the controversy created by Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh that the it had not held public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh on Polavaram project.
Chief Minister K Rosaiah made it clear at the secretariat on Wednesday that he would write to the Union Environment Minister and clarify the position of the State on the issue.
Speaking to media, the Chief Minister said that he had tried to contact the Union Minister twice on the phone in an attempt to personally put the record straight but Ramesh was not available on phone.
"I will be writing to Jairam", Rosaiah said.
When a scribe pointed out that the Union Environment Minister had raised objection to the State government not conducting public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh, Rosaiah retorted sharply.
The obvious inference from Rosaiah's sharp response was that it was not possible to conduct such a survey.
The Chief Minister made it clear that suitable measures had already been taken in respect of areas likely to be submerged due to the Rs. 9000 crore Polavaram Irrigation Project.
Stating that the environmental clearance had already been obtained for the project, Rosaiah said that he would also urge the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union Water Resources Minister Bansal and other ministers concerned to do the needful.
"I am confident that Soniaji would come to the aid of Andhra Pradesh," the CM said.
As regards to the Pranahitha-Chevella project, the Chief Minister said that clearances were yet to come.
Once the clearances were received, the project work will start, Rosaiah revealed.