New Delhi sources stated that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has shot of a letter to Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan demanding to stop Polavaram National Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh with immediate effect. Meanwhile when raising the concerns of Odisha state, he asked the Centre to stop the Polavaram Irrigation Project until the problems of the Odisha people are cleared. Moreover he alleged that the people of Odisha would face problems if the project goes ahead in the present form without addressing the problems of Odisha.
As per report in his letter, Naveen stated that he had written letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice on the same issue and requested him to stop the Polavaram works. Furthermore Naveen in his letter said that Sabari and Sileru river waters have to be addressed. He said the construction of Polavaram Irrigation Project without addressing the above issues is violation of the guidelines issued by the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal.
Moreover Naveen also said that the Resettlement & Rehabilitation
(R&R) is also yet to be resolved and hence demanded the Centre to stop the
Polavaram Irrigation Project with immediate effect. Further given that the
fresh hurdles are coming from Modi's close friend and NDA's ally BJD's Naveen
Patnaik, several doubts are now raised over the timing of these letters.
