Chhattisgarh Village Fears Displacement Amidst Polavaram Project Uncertainty

Residents of Konta village in the Sukma district of southern Chhattisgarh, including Manglu Dorla, face uncertainty and fear of displacement due to the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP). Dorla’s family has farmed land near the Sabari river for generations, relying on the forest for fuel, fodder, and food. However, a dam being constructed over a hundred kilometres downstream on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh now threatens their homes, leaving villagers unsure of the project's direct impact.

The Polavaram Irrigation Project is situated on the Godavari river near Ramanayyapeta in Polavaram mandal, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 42 kilometres upstream of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage. The project's structure has an elevation of 45.72 metres (150 feet). The Sabari river, a tributary of the Godavari, originates in Odisha and forms part of the boundary between Odisha and Chhattisgarh before entering Andhra Pradesh. Construction for PIP began in 2004, following decades of interstate negotiations that commenced with a 1980 agreement.

The ambitious project aims to create irrigation potential for 2.91 lakh hectares, generate 960 MW of hydropower, and supply drinking water to 28.5 lakh people across 540 villages. Despite these broader benefits, the specific implications for upstream communities like Konta remain unclear, leaving residents in limbo. "None of us wants to leave our home," Dorla stated, articulating the community's deep-seated apprehension.

What to watch: The ongoing efforts to clarify the project's impact on affected villages and address potential displacement.

Editor's note: The article provides a clear summary of the human impact and technical details of the Polavaram project as described in the source.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Mongabay India