Date:04/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/04/stories/2006100406420400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Meeting to discuss Polavaram project

Special Correspondent

Chief Ministers of three States to participate

HYDERABAD: There are high hopes for a resolution on the dispute over the Polavaram project at a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh convened by Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The meeting is being held in pursuance of Mr. Soz's promise in Parliament recently. Officials expect it will resolve at least some of the inter-State issues thwarting the execution of the mega project contemplated across the Godavari.

Contingent

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is leaving for New Delhi with a contingent of officials led by Satish Chandra, Secretary, Irrigation. His Orissa and Chhattisgarh counterparts, Navin Patnaik and Raman Singh, too are likely to be present with their teams.

The major irritant for Orissa and Chhattisgarh is the identification of 12 villages in these two States that will be submerged.

In all, 276 villages will be submerged but, barring the 12, all are in Andhra Pradesh.

Submergence

The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award allowed submergence of villages but with payment of compensation up to 150 ft, the maximum height finalised for the dam.

As the 12 villages are located beyond this level, Orissa and Chhattisgarh have been given the option to chose either construction of a permanent embankment protecting them from the backwaters or accept the compensation as provided in the inter-State agreement.

However, Orissa is opposing the project saying that the 25-year old award is not applicable now in changed situations.

Dr. Reddy will have to convince his counterparts in the two neighbouring States on the need for the project in this background.