BJD Leader Bhrugu Baxipatra Urges Reconsideration of Polavaram Project in Odisha
Bhubaneswar (Odisha), August 13: Bhrugu Baxipatra, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJD), has raised concerns about the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project. He stated that the project threatens to submerge 200 villages in the Motu and Podia blocks of Malkangiri district.
Baxipatra mentioned that a committee formed by BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, which included senior party members, visited the areas likely to be affected. They met with residents from the Motu and Podia blocks, as well as villages in Andhra Pradesh that are also at risk.
He noted that there is no official information about the dam’s height, but it is expected to be 150 feet. Heavy rains have already caused some villages to submerge, impacting tribals, wildlife, and residents.
Baxipatra criticized the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore to the Polavaram project in the Union budget, with a completion deadline of February 2026. He pointed out that the Odisha government was not consulted, and no surveys were conducted. He also expressed concerns about the lack of information on compensation for affected residents.
He called on the central government to reconsider the project, emphasizing BJD’s opposition to Polavaram. He urged the government to prioritize the welfare of the people and submitted a report on the potential damages.
Doubts Revealed
BJD -: BJD stands for Biju Janata Dal, which is a political party in Odisha, India. It was founded by Naveen Patnaik.
Bhrugu Baxipatra -: Bhrugu Baxipatra is a leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party in Odisha. He is concerned about the Polavaram project.
Polavaram Project -: The Polavaram Project is a large irrigation project in India. It aims to provide water for farming but may cause flooding in some areas.
Odisha -: Odisha is a state in eastern India. It has many villages and is known for its rich culture and history.
Malkangiri district -: Malkangiri is a district in Odisha. It has many villages that might be affected by the Polavaram Project.
Rs 15,000 crore -: Rs 15,000 crore is a large amount of money. It is the budget allocated by the central government for the Polavaram Project.
Union budget -: The Union budget is the financial plan of the central government of India. It decides how money will be spent on different projects.
Central government -: The central government is the main government of India. It makes decisions for the whole country.
