Bhubaneswar: With the clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Polavaram project over river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh has crossed a major hurdle.
The Environment Ministry has given its green signal to divert over 3,000 hectares of forest land for the construction of the Indira Sagar (Polavaram) multi-purpose project. But made it clear that no submergence of land would be allowed in adjacent Orissa and Chhatisgarh.
"The approval for diversion of 3,731 hectares of forestland is based on the clear understanding that the state government will take all steps to ensure that no submergence of forest land on account of the proposed dam, also known as Indira Sagar Multi-purpose project would take place in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
"Further, it (clearance) is also based on the assurance of the state government that there are no forest rights that need to be settled under the Tribals Act and that the approved rehabilitation would be implemented in a time-bound and transparent manner," a statement issued by the Ministry said today.
It also said the ministry would carry out strict monitoring of all conditions under which the Polavaram project on Godavari river is being cleared.
The proposal got the green signal after the Andhra Pradesh government submitted a compliance report last year followed by a final report last month as per satisfaction of the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Environment Ministry.
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