Bringing this point to the attention of the prime minister during the meeting, Patnailk said no public hearing had been held in Orissa by the ministry of environment and forests before granting environmental clearance.

Besides, the ministry of tribal affairs did not seek the opinion of the Orissa government before clearing the project, he added.

Andhra Pradesh claims that the project will provide drinking water to 2.85 million people, produce 960 MW of power and give 23.5 thousand million cubic feet of water to the industry.

The project had first been envisioned by the British in 1941 but had been hanging in the balance due to strong opposition by both local residents and neighbouring states.

The Andhra government has said it will make some embankments along the river, but that is not the solution, Patnaik said. 'No proper study was made to ascertain the amount of damage it will cause in Orissa,' he told the prime minister.