Pradhan supports Odisha on Polavaram project issue

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh would adversely impact Odisha and two other states though the Centre had announced full financial assistance for the controversial dam project over Godavari river.

"Besides Odisha, the Polavaram project will also hit Chhattishgarh and Telangana. The three states should work in tandem to protect interest of their respective region," Pradhan told reporters, adding the BJP Odisha unit has been opposing the Polavaram project since its inception.

Asked as to how the Centre supported the project though he feels that the three states would suffer, Pradhan said, "It is the compulsion of the Central government to fund the project as Polavaram has been accorded the national project status under an act passed in this regard".

The Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, however said BJP will support the Polavaram issue if it is raised by the state government or any other organisation.

Pradhan said he supports the steps taken by the three states to protect their rights on Polavaram which includes taking the matter to the judicial platform. Pradhan also blamed the erstwhile UPA-led government at the Centre for approval of the project in the first place.

The minister, who has opposed the Odisha government's stand on the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattishgarh, made it clear that he supports the state's views on the Polavaram matter.

PTI