Visakhapatnam: Members of the tribal community living in the villages of Chintalapudi and Marika held a protest against the construction of the Adani Hydro Power Pertl. Protesters armed with traditional bows and arrows. There are concerns that the potential threat to irrigation from the Sarada River is a key reason for stopping construction. Protesters in Chintalapudi and CPM regional secretary D. Venkanna asked the government to cancel the project immediately.
The proposed project on 213 acres between Chintalapudi and Marika under Vepada Mandal has raised concerns that water supply to the Raivada irrigation system will be severely affected. Protesters claimed that a “secret investigation” resulted in approval of the project without proper consultation. Protesters’ encroachment of dense forest lands, questioning the government’s commitment to tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Protester Y. Erru Naidu said the Raivada project will be under control of Adani, leaving the land barren. Protesters have given full interest to local representatives, including members of the Sarpanchs and the Water Association, to intervene in the matter and resist progress on the project.
Venkanna warned that farmers and residents of several Panchayats would face devastating losses if the project proceeded as planned.
