Polavaram:GWDT awards not to be violated at any cost, says Uma

Seeking to dispel Odisha government's apprehension that Andhra Pradesh unilaterally raised height of the Polavaram dam, the Centre today said it was committed to ensure that the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) awards are not violated at any cost.
"Whatever is said about the increase in the height of the Polavaram dam is just a rumour. The Andhra Pradesh government has not approached us for increasing the height of the dam. The Centre will strictly go by the prescribed height as mentioned there in the GWDT award," Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti told reporters here.

Stating that the Centre has been bearing 90 per cent of the expenditure of Polavaram after it is declared as a national project, Bharti said the ministry will not hesitate to stop funding if there is any violation in the agreement in the GWDT award.
"We will stop funding the project if it violates any of the award conditions," Bharti said, adding the height of the dam as agreed in the award is 150 feet.
The height of the dam will not increase by even an inch, she said.
During her meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bharti said she has told the state government to respond to the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the Gopalkrishna Committee.

The expert panel was set up as per direction of the Supreme Court.

Gopalkrishnan studied the technical aspect of the Polavaram project, Bharti said.
Stating that the Gopalkrishnan Committee has suggested the Odisha government to accept either of the two options, Bharti said, "The state government has to choose whether a proper rehabilitation and resettlement package or additional embankment under its jurisdiction."
About certain clearances allegedly given by the Centre favouring Andhra Pradesh, Bharti said, "The role of water resources ministry is to fund the project. We cannot interfere in the works of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.