Hyderabad: With 2.5 lakh adivasis and fishermen being affected, activists called the Polavaram project anti-development and lashed out at the government for not considering alternatives.
An alternative plan submitted by two experts is still pending. They said the larger interests were towards developing petrochemical refineries and the coastline.
“Despite there being an alternative as submitted by Dharma Rao and Hanumant Rao, which will reduce the damage, why is the proposal still not being considered? The money involved here is about Rs 16,000 crore and this is attracting contractors and those with vested interests,” said Professor Haragopal.
“The alternative plan was to construct check dams which are lower in height. Check dams will cause less damage than the current plan. But since the government is not considering the proposal, it is a clear indication that the government is not pro-people. This is a globally instigated project and this must stop,” he added.
