Odisha Assembly Erupts Over Polavaram Project Controversy

In Bhubaneswar, the Odisha Assembly was thrown into chaos on Thursday as Congress members vociferously demanded the formation of a House Committee to investigate the Polavaram Dam project in Andhra Pradesh. The project has stirred controversy due to concerns that it could submerge a substantial portion of land in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district of Odisha.

The uproar began during the Zero Hour when Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam raised the issue, criticizing the BJP-led central government for advancing the Polavaram project without addressing the potential displacement of tribal communities in Odisha. Kadam highlighted that the project is expected to inundate between 1,400 and 1,500 hectares of land in Malkangiri, which he claimed would severely impact poor and innocent tribals.

Kadam also emphasized the environmental implications of the project, pointing out potential harm to forests, wildlife, and local ecosystems. He accused the central government of prioritizing the irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh to appease the ruling party there, thereby neglecting the grievances of affected communities in Odisha. Kadam’s speech underscored a broader dissatisfaction with the “double engine” government, which he believes has failed to protect the interests of Odisha’s residents.

The Congress members, frustrated by the Speaker’s inaction, took their protests to the well of the House. Senior Congress member Taraprasad Bahinipati attempted to climb the Speaker’s podium, while Kadam stood on a reporter’s table to amplify his protest. The disruption underscored the Congress’s resolve to address what they see as a betrayal of Odisha’s interests.

Although the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members remained silent during the debate, BJD President Naveen Patnaik had earlier criticized the central government for its handling of the Polavaram issue. Patnaik’s statement expressed frustration over the allocation of funds to the project without resolving Odisha’s concerns. The controversy continues to fuel tension between state and central authorities, with the Congress planning to launch a mass agitation to protest the central government’s actions.