Polavaram project row: BJD urges Odisha CM to fight for tribal rights

OPPOSITION BJD on Tuesday called upon Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to prove his tribal identity and save the life and livelihood of the Adivasis in Malkangiri, who are facing inundation due to the Polavaram project of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

Addressing a press conference here, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra voiced concern over the "continued violations and unilateral progress" of the Polavaram project by the Andhra Pradesh government, allegedly with the active support of the Centre.

The Polavaram project, situated on the Godavari river, is a multi-purpose project intended for irrigation, power generation, water supply, and river diversion.

It has become a controversial project with neighbouring states Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh opposing it, fearing the submergence of land and villages.

The matter is currently pending with the Supreme Court, with petitions filed by Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. The central government has declared Polavaram a national project and sanctioned funds in this financial year's budget.

The BJD leader asserted that Odisha's interests, particularly those of tribal communities in Malkangiri, must not be compromised.