People facing displacement under Polavaram to take part in democratic process on February 17
For members of about one lakh families in the Polavaram project area, the ongoing gram panchayat elections will be the last such exercise in their native habitations, as they will be displaced and rehabilitated soon in the upland areas.
In all, 1.03 lakh families residing in 373 habitations – 240 in East Godavari and 133 in West Godavari – will be shifted. The officials have so far evacuated the families from 17 habitations.
“During the recent Godavari floods (in September last), our village was completely inundated. We had to take shelter on top of a hill for about one week. We request the government to shift us to the R&R Colony before the advent of monsoon,” said Soyam Durga of Koida village.
Members of a few tribes and non-tribes staying in various hamlets in Polavaram, Velerupadu, and Kukunoor mandals had approached the State High Court, seeking a direction to halt the…