Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6 -- The Odisha Assembly Standing Committee has directed the state government to undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment of the likely impact of Andhra Pradesh's proposed Neredi barrage on Odisha's water rights, land, agriculture, environment and livelihoods before transferring 106 acres of land to the neighbouring state.

The issue was discussed at length at the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee, chaired by senior BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain, on October 5, during which the Water Resources Department placed details of the Odisha portion of the proposed barrage on the Vamsadhara river before the panel.

The committee sought detailed information from the concerned departments on the likely impact of the...