Congress leader warns centre of ignoring tribals concern in respect to Polavaram project

Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao on Friday soughtr a design change in the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, and also warned the centre of the consequences it could face if it undermines the plight of tribals who could be displaced in the process.

"We are saying that design of the Polavaram project should be changed so that it should be little effect on the tribals and the villagers.. More villages will submerge because of this and that is where our objection was there. But unfortunately they have not listened, this is a whole drama created by Venkaiah Naidu. He said both Telangana and Andhra both will get benefit, but indirectly he is helping Andhra," Rao said.

"It's the question of 2 lakhs tribals who will suffer. In coming days it will cost a lot more. Tribals are sitting on roads. Why would they sit silent? They will become naxalites and kill people. Definitely this is a big issue. We never opposed Polavaram but it could have been done in a better way. Now these tribals will go for revolt. They never listened to me and are just thinking about their own benefit. They are acting like bulldozer. But finally the tribals will not keep quiet," the Congress leader added.

The Lok Sabha today passed a controversial bill which paves the way for the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh by merging some villages and mandals of Telangana with Andhra Pradesh amid stiff opposition from TRS, BJD and some other parties.

Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project. This dam across the Godavari river is under construction and located in West Godavari and East Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh.