Supreme Court Asks Centre To Call Meeting Of Odisha, Other Stakeholders On Polavaram

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Union Government to convene a meeting of all the stakeholders, including Odisha, to discuss and resolve the issues relating to the Polavaram project which is being constructed in Andhra Pradesh.

The apex court observed that it would be in the “fitness of thing” if the Centre takes an initiative in calling a meeting of higher officials of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh so that the project could move forward and the concerns are addressed.

A bench headed by Justice SK Kaul noted that there are concerns expressed by the states of Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh regarding the impact of the project in as much as it may result in flooding of certain areas.

The bench, also comprising Justice AS Oka and Vikram Nath, noted that it has been submitted that the project, as envisaged, has been expanded to a much larger extent and there are issues concerning environmental clearances as well on account of its expansion.

The Apex court suggested that a “pioneering role must be played by the Ministry of Jal Shakti….and a meeting be called of all the stakeholders.”

It said the meeting must be held at an appropriate high level to sort out the issues. The apex court said the meeting should be regularly held and should not await the next date of hearing before the court. Posting the matter for hearing on December 7, the court asked for a report from the Centre.

During the hearing, the bench observed that the concerns raised in the matter should be examined and worked out. It observed that if a project has to be made, the cost keeps on going up with passage of time.

It may be noted that on August 22, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought Rs 10,000 crore on an ad-hoc basis to expedite the Polavaram Irrigation Project on the Godavari river.