By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 2, 2018: The Union government on Saturday pulled out from carrying out public hearing in Odisha and Chhattisgarh on the controversial Polavarm project adding a fresh twist to the long-standing controversy over construction of the dam there.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Centre to submit terms and conditions for public hearing in both the states by December 1.

Replying in connection with the matter, the Centre on Saturday filed a petition seeking apologies and informed the apex court that it had mistakenly given its approval for carrying out public hearing by employing special agencies.

Hearing a petition filed by Odisha government and NGO, Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA), the Apex Court had on November 29 expressed its shock on how a mega project like Polavaram was undertaken without any public hearing.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the three-member division bench of the Supreme Court which is slated to hold its next hearing in connection with the matter.

The central government officials however, informed that the public hearing in both the states was conducted earlier.

Earlier on November 21, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and stop construction of the Polavaram Project till all pending issues are resolved.