New Delhi: Refusing to accept Odisha Government’s plea that the Centre should stop funding for the controversial Polavaram dam project in Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead, has assured the state that he would soon convene a meeting of the Niti Aayog and other concerned agencies like Central Water Commission to study the ramifications of the project and address its concerns.
A delegation of MPs from Biju Janata Dal (BJD, which rules Odisha) had met the Prime Minister last Thursday, seeking his intervention on the matter concerning the project, which once constructed, is likely to submerge parts of the state along with that of Chhattisgarh and Telangana. During an almost hour-long meeting, the delegation pressed upon the Prime Minister to curb funding for the project, as it is a national project.
Sources privy to the development however said that the Prime Minister was not to keen about the BJD’s suggestion, and is learnt to have assured them that to look into the matter, a meeting of the Niti Aayog as well as the CWC and other concerned agencies may be called to understand the issues pertaining to the project.
Mr Modi’s reservations over BJD delegation’s suggestion to stop funding for the project was mainly driven by the fact that it is a national project, sources reasoned.
The Prime Minister’s decision may come as a respite to the Andhra Pradesh Gove-rnment, which is continuing with the construction of the dam with the help of Central aid.
At the same time though, both Odisha and Chhattisgarh Gover-nments have petitioned the Supreme Court agai-nst the Polavaram project and the matter is subjudice.
The PMO, sources said, may also invite representatives of Odisha, Chhat-tisgarh and Telangana to attend the proposed meeting of the Niti Aayog on the Polavaram project.
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