28. (SOCIAL-28) POLAVARAM PROJECT ----HOPE ALL IS WELL..
Polavaram Project is a multipurpose irrigation project which has been accorded national project status by the then UPA Central government. National river linking project which works under the aegis of the Indian Ministry of Water Resources was designed to overcome the deficit in water in the country. As a part of this plan the Godavari River basin is considered as a surplus one, while the Krishna River basin is considered to be a deficit one. Based on the estimated water requirements in 2025, the study recommended that seizable surplus water was to be transferred from the Godavari basin to the Krishna River basin.
In 1980, the Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh Tanguturi Anjaiah laid the foundation stone for the project stayed idle until 2004 when Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy led government came to power. In 2004 the government sanctioned and soon after tenders were issued for the commensurate worth of services for the Right and Left canals. When the project was taken up in 2004, the old finalized designs at Polavaram site are adopted without reexamining the latest cost of alternate site. The alternative site located in gorge stretch is still worth of reexamination.to reduce the ever increasing cost of Polavaram Dam. The Dam could not be taken up for construction during the last century on techno economical grounds. The united Andhra Pradesh government secured the environmental clearances from the center in 2005.
Despite this clearance, the project faced political road blocks. Meanwhile work on the project began and Excavation work on canals and spillway work almost completed and work was halted for want of clearance from the Ministry of Forest and Environment. Orissa and Chattisgarh have filed a petition in Supreme Court of India against the project which submerges large areas of the state and A.P government of going ahead with the project without the necessary permissions and also alleges that public hearing in the effected areas for not held. After formation of new Telangana state a bandh call was given by the Telangana Raashtra Samithi which was going to take the power in the state protesting against the ordinance promulgated by the President of India. The controversy surrounding Bhadrachalam sub-division in Khammam district which consists of villages that will be submerged has triggered controversy against the back drop of Union Cabinet NOD to transfer 130 villages to Seemandhra. This was happen because of Seemandhra lobbying according to average Telangana people and they believe this is loss for them.
Some are asking about the position of the Tribal who are in submerged 9 Mandals of Khammam district. They are in fear of Tribal rights along with their culture, implementation of Schedule area Acts and forest assets relating with their life. They are demanding for Self Rule Autonomous Counsels for their bright future. They are not interested to leave the forest life.
Is Polavaram project really the dispute between the Seemandhra and Telangana states only?
Is it not the Human Rights problem of the Tribal in Khammam district?
Is there really an alternative change of design to satisfy the Seemandhra and Telangana too?
Can we do anything without displace thousands of Tribal families, without submerge several Archaeological sites, Coal deposits, a wild life sanctuary and several hectors of farm land?
It is the proper time to discuss and find a solution to the Polavaram Dam dispute for the development and cordial relations between the Seemandhra and Telangana states.
Despite this clearance, the project faced political road blocks. Meanwhile work on the project began and Excavation work on canals and spillway work almost completed and work was halted for want of clearance from the Ministry of Forest and Environment. Orissa and Chattisgarh have filed a petition in Supreme Court of India against the project which submerges large areas of the state and A.P government of going ahead with the project without the necessary permissions and also alleges that public hearing in the effected areas for not held. After formation of new Telangana state a bandh call was given by the Telangana Raashtra Samithi which was going to take the power in the state protesting against the ordinance promulgated by the President of India. The controversy surrounding Bhadrachalam sub-division in Khammam district which consists of villages that will be submerged has triggered controversy against the back drop of Union Cabinet NOD to transfer 130 villages to Seemandhra. This was happen because of Seemandhra lobbying according to average Telangana people and they believe this is loss for them.
Some are asking about the position of the Tribal who are in submerged 9 Mandals of Khammam district. They are in fear of Tribal rights along with their culture, implementation of Schedule area Acts and forest assets relating with their life. They are demanding for Self Rule Autonomous Counsels for their bright future. They are not interested to leave the forest life.
Is Polavaram project really the dispute between the Seemandhra and Telangana states only?
Is it not the Human Rights problem of the Tribal in Khammam district?
Is there really an alternative change of design to satisfy the Seemandhra and Telangana too?
Can we do anything without displace thousands of Tribal families, without submerge several Archaeological sites, Coal deposits, a wild life sanctuary and several hectors of farm land?
It is the proper time to discuss and find a solution to the Polavaram Dam dispute for the development and cordial relations between the Seemandhra and Telangana states.
Hope all is well.
-------PENDYALA VASUDEVARAO.
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