NHRC Pulls Up Odisha, Andhra Over Machkund Project Rehabilitation
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh regarding long‑pending rehabilitation issues linked to the Machkund Hydro Power Project.
The project, operational for over seven decades, displaced 156 villages across 14 panchayats in Koraput district to make way for the Jolaput reservoir and power facilities.
Despite surrendering nearly 18,200 hectares of land, affected families continue to face neglect, lacking proper rehabilitation, employment opportunities, and even access to electricity generated from the project.
The intervention follows a petition filed by social worker and lawyer Anup Kumar Patra, who highlighted the plight of displaced communities.
Acting on the complaint, NHRC directed the chief secretaries of both states, the Koraput District Collector, Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), and Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) to submit reports.
The Commission also instructed the formation of an independent committee to oversee rehabilitation measures.
Local organisations, including the Nandapur Budi Area Development Council, welcomed NHRC’s move, stressing that promises of development and jobs have remained unfulfilled for decades.
Community leaders urged immediate government action to address grievances that have persisted across generations.
This case underscores the gap between infrastructure development and the rights of displaced communities, raising urgent questions about accountability and social justice.
