Naidu meets Jal Shakti Minister, seeks project clearances, funds

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday (February 10) made a strong pitch for Central clearances and financial support for key irrigation and drinking water projects in the State during a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil as part of his Delhi visit.

Emphasising that water security is critical to Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural future, farmers’ livelihoods, and drinking water needs, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to take expeditious decisions on long-pending proposals and inter-State water disputes. He underlined that timely approvals and funding would have a transformative impact on drought-prone regions of the State.

Raising the Polavaram project, Mr. Naidu sought a permanent withdrawal of the stop-work orders, stating that they were severely hampering execution. He also requested reimbursement of the additional expenditure incurred due to enhancement of the carrying capacity of the project’s right and left main canals.

The Chief Minister sought financial assistance for Polavaram Phase–II, which involves land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, and construction of protection embankments, pointing out that these works alone require an additional outlay of around ₹32,000 crore.

Mr. Naidu also proposed the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project to divert surplus Godavari floodwaters to drought-hit regions, describing it as a vital multi-purpose project catering to drinking water, irrigation, and industrial needs. He urged the Centre to approve the project under the National River Linking Policy and extend technical and financial support.

On inter-State issues, the Chief Minister pressed for resolution of the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha Vamsadhara water dispute and sought immediate gazette notification of the final report of the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal to facilitate construction of the Neradi Barrage.

He further called for the constitution of a Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal to resolve the ongoing Andhra Pradesh–Telangana dispute over sharing of Godavari waters. Expressing concern over Karnataka’s move to increase the height of the Almatti dam on the upper Krishna, Mr. Naidu warned that it would severely impact downstream flows to Andhra Pradesh. The meeting highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s renewed push for long-pending water justice and central support for large-scale irrigation infrastructure.