90,000 acres land acquired for Polavaram irrigation project

NEW DELHI: Over 90,000 acres of land has been acquired for Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
In reply to a question on whether the Government has applied only the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 to such displaced people and land-losers instead of the 2013 Act, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said the State Government has submitted that the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act 2013 is being followed for lands being acquired for the project after the new Act came into force.

"Further, 87951.9 acres of the land had been acquired under the old 1894 Act and 2677.95 acres of land has been acquired under the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act 2013," he added.

To a question on whether a notice from the Andhra Pradesh High Court on the issue for wrong relief and rehabilitation for the displaced people under Polavaram dam, he said that a petition came up for admission and hearing and the High Court has issued notices for submission of counter affidavit before admission.

It may be recalled that the Centre is implementing the Polavaram project as a national project in Andhra Pradesh.