Polavaram displaced families seek land along Odisha, Chhattisgarh borders

Families living in the submergence area of the Polavaram irrigation project on Sunday appealed to Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar to identify land for the Land-to-Land component of the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package along the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh in Chintoor agency.

The Project Affected Families (PAF), who have parted with their land for the Polavaram irrigation project, said that they are entitled to cultivable land for their survival and livelihood.

A day after assuming charge as the first Polavaram District Collector, Mr. Dinesh Kumar listed out the demands of the Polavaram-displaced during a meeting with the residents of A.G. Koderu village in Chintoor mandal. 

At A.G. Koderu, the Polavaram-displaced families urged the authorities to identify land in Soderupadu, Sunnam Mataka and Boorguvada along the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh for the Land-to-Land component as they are fertile. They said that they are familiar with the agro-climatic conditions along the borders of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. 

RoFR pattas

Accompanied by Joint Collector B. Smaran Raj, Mr. Dinesh Kumar interacted with the tribals of Pichukulapadu panchayat in Yetapaka mandal along the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border. The tribals shared their difficulties in accessing safe drinking water, healthcare and challenges to get pattas under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Mr. Dinesh Kumar directed officials to address the grievances.