Polavaram Project To Submerge 200 Villages In Odisha; Check BJD Team’s Findings

Bhubaneswar: Around 200 villages in Motu and Padia blocks of Odisha’s Malkangiri district will be submerged and more than 6,000 people, mostly tribals, will affected due to the Polavaram project on the Godavari in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, according to the BJD’s fact-finding team.

The team led by BJD leader Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak visited the affected areas – Mugi Point in Odisha, villages of Motu block, block headquarters town of Motu and Kaleru village in Andhra – on August 8 to asses the impact of the project on the local communities and environment.

It submitted its report to party president Naveen Patnaik on Monday evening.

FINDINGS

>> Block headquarters town of Motu will be completely submerged because of the project.

>> The anticipated height of the Polavaram dam could range between 150 and 180 feet and cause much damage to Mugi point, which is the last landmass of the state and is of great significance as it is the confluence point of the Saberi, Sileru, and Godavari rivers, and also the meeting point of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

>> Irrigation department officials said despite repeated appeals, officials of the project have not shared the map or any other relevant documents with them.

>> No survey was conducted to assess the potential damage to livestock, agricultural produce, government institutions, public infrastructure and environment.

>> Construction of a bridge by Chhattisgarh government over the Sileru River at a considerable height, which further raises concerns about the potential damage that could be caused by the Polavaram Project.

>> Tribals of Alama, Muraliguda, Bariwansa and Binayakpur villages in Motu block, who have been vehemently opposing the project, said vegetation and agricultural land get flooded at least two to three times a year, causing immense damage to their livelihoods. They appealed the central and the state governments to stop the project and demanded compensation of at least three times the estimated damage to their property and livelihood it they proceeded with it.

>> People of Kaleru village in Andhra Pradesh fear that the construction of the Polavaram Dam will exacerbate the flooding situation, leading to further displacement and destruction of their livelihoods.

>> The recent budgetary allocation and the Centre’s assertion to complete the project by February 2026 has raised fear and concern among the tribal inhabitants of about 200 villages of Motu and Podia blocks.