Odisha Prepares Strong Pitch Ahead of PM Modi's Polavaram Meet
Odisha gears up to defend its interests amid long-standing inter-state dispute
Bhubaneswar, May 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a key high-level meeting on May 28 with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to discuss the long-pending issues related to the Polavaram Project. This marks the first time the Prime Minister will directly engage with all four states on this matter.
The Polavaram Project, a multi-purpose irrigation and hydroelectric initiative in Andhra Pradesh, has faced objections and legal challenges from Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh for several years. Several petitions related to the project are currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court.
Ahead of the meeting, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a preparatory session to finalise the state's strategy. Odisha plans to strongly present its stance on the impact of the project, particularly on land, water rights, and the welfare of affected communities.
Speaking to reporters, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, “The state will firmly present its case, and we will not compromise on Odisha’s interests. Our Water Resources Department will provide detailed data and logical arguments to support our concerns.”
The Minister stressed that Odisha believes in resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding but will remain uncompromising when it comes to the state’s rights.
He also criticised the previous state government, alleging a lack of initiative in handling the legal aspects of the Polavaram issue. “The former government neglected the issue for years, choosing politics over the people's interests,” Harichandan added.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh have voiced serious concerns about the project’s potential to cause flooding and displacement, especially in tribal regions. Environmental and humanitarian impacts have been central to their opposition.
With the Prime Minister directly involved, there is renewed hope for a solution or at least a clear path toward resolving the dispute that has stretched on for more than a decade. All eyes will be on the May 28 meeting, which could be a turning point for one of India’s most controversial infrastructure projects.
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