Central Panel Returns AP's Polavaram Project Proposal

An expert committee of the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) has returned the Andhra Pradesh government's proposal on the ambitious Polavaram-Banakacharla Link Project, which aimed at diverting surplus Godavari river water to the Pennar basin through the Krishna river.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD:

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the environment ministry, which examined the preliminary project report submitted by the Andhra Pradesh government at its meeting on June 17, rejected the proposal for conducting an environment impact assessment (EIA). The minutes of the meeting were shared with the government on Monday.

According to the minutes of the meeting, seen by HT, the EAC pointed out that the environmental clearance for the Polavaram project, granted by the Centre on January 25, 2005, was resisted by Odisha and Chhattisgarh and as such the matter remains sub-judice.

Under these circumstances, the EAC said the proposal for the Polavaram-Banakacharla project should comprehensively assess the availability of floodwaters in consultation with the central water commission (CWC).

"Furthermore, the EAC noted that several representations have been received via email, alleging that the proposed scheme may be in violation of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980," it said.