While hearing a petition filed by the Odisha government which has claimed that the project is being undertaken without environmental clearance, the apex court said the details of the backwater study report should be produced before the court.

“The SC has asked the Centre to submit a report on the project’s impact on Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in case the 50,000-lakh-cusecs capacity Polavaram project gets maximum floodwater,” said SC advocate, Shravan Kumar.

The SC asked the Centre to clarify in how many days a report can be submitted after a detailed study by Pune-based central government agency, if the same has not been carried out, Kumar added.

The court will fix a date tomorrow for next hearing on the petition filed by the Odisha government and Hyderabad-based NGO – Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA).

Last month, the SC had issued notices to the Central government and Andhra Pradesh after objections were raised by the Odisha government on environment clearance granted to Polavaram.

The Telangana government has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking a detailed survey while Odisha has been opposing the Polavaram project claiming that it is against the interests of the people of State.