The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has raised concerns over the potential impact of Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project on tribal communities in the Malkangiri district. The concerns follow the central government’s recent budgetary allocation for the project and its commitment to complete it by February 2026, which has reportedly instilled fear among the local tribal population.
A fact-finding team from the BJD, led by former minister Atanu S Nayak, visited the Motu and Padia tehsils in Malkangiri to assess the potential impact of the Polavaram project. In a report submitted to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, the team highlighted the concerns of local residents.
"The residents of Motu and Padia blocks are facing a grave threat to their lives, livelihoods, and cultural heritage due to the potential submergence caused by the project," the report stated. It further noted that the budgetary allocation and the Centre's commitment to the project's completion have heightened fears among the tribal communities in around 200 villages within these blocks.
The Polavaram project, located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru district, is designed to irrigate over 430,000 hectares of land and generate 960 MW of hydropower. It will also supply drinking water to nearly three million people in 611 villages and divert 80 TMC ft of water to the Krishna River basin.
The BJD has long opposed the project, citing concerns over its environmental impact and the displacement of thousands of tribal people in Odisha. The party has called on the Centre to address these issues and ensure that the rights of the affected communities are protected.
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