The Centre will convene a meeting of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh for expediting environment clearances for Polavaram irrigation and hydel project in Andhra Pradesh.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told Rajya Sabha on Friday that he was convening a meeting of Chief Ministers of the states to resolve the differences among them over the project.

He said although the forest clearance was given to the about Rs 17,000 crore Indirasagar multi-purpose project in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and the Chhattisgarh Governments have to make embankments to protect submergence of villages.