Taking a serious view of ongoing construction activity at Polavaram multipurpose project in Andhra Pradesh without a suitable environment clearance, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has sought explanation from the state government for not complying with its directions for getting a clearance. The ministry has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to explain as to why a formal show-cause notice under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act be not issued against the project proponent for continuing work at the site. The irrigation-cum-hydel power project on the Godavari river had been asked in March 2009 to conduct public hearings in Chhattisgarh and Orissa following changes in the design of the project. The changes included the construction of bunds/embankments on two rivers in order to avoid submergence of areas in Orissa and Chhattisgarh. Both these state governments had expressed apprehension that large parts of their border areas would get submerged by the 960-MW power project. It was because of their objections that the original design of the project