The Polavaram multipurpose project in Andhra Pradesh is likely to displace over 1.88 lakh people, mainly tribals across 222 villages.

So far, 1,730 persons in six villages have been rehabilitated, Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Rehabilitation Construction of the project has been taken up by the Andhra Pradesh government and an expenditure of ₹ 5,575.35 crore was incurred till March 31 this year, Bharti said during Question Hour.

“Rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected persons and families is being carried out as per the policies in place,” she said, when asked by a Congress MP about the steps being taken by the government.

Taking a dig at the Congress, the Minister urged the Opposition party to first “settle’ their stand on land acquisition, as the crucial issue of irrigation can be tackled only after that.

Ambitious project The Polavaram project is expected to irrigate an area of 2.91 lakh hectares apart from generating 960 MW of power. In addition, 23.44 TMC feet water will be available for domestic and industrial uses, while 80 TMC feet will be diverted to the Krishna basin.

“We have taken the project seriously... It is a matter of national pride. We are committed and are making all efforts to complete the project on time,” the Minister added.

In March, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in an intervention in the Lok Sabha, had criticised the Central government of “neglecting” Andhra Pradesh, demanding that projects such as Polavaram be expedited.

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