Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to intensify its protest against the controversial Polavaram multipurpose project in Andhra Pradesh.
The BJD will organize a series of protests against the project beginning from Motu in Malkangiri to Bhubaneswar and then from the state capital to national capital from January next year.
BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has given an instruction in this regard to the party leaders. The party will seek the opinions of the people of Malkangiri district before intensifying its agitation on Polavaram issue, the BJD said.
Recently, the BJD urged the Central government to halt the construction of the project in the neighbouring state till issues related to the safety and wellbeing of the tribal people of Malkangiri district are resolved.
A delegation of the BJD met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, top officials of Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, chairperson of ST Commission and secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry in New Delhi to seek halt on the project.
Earlier, a team of BJD leaders had visited Motu area in July and August this year and submitted a report regarding the possible impact of the dam project on the villages in Malkangiri to party supremo Naveen Patnaik.