Naidu, Vijay Discuss Telugu Ganga, River-Linking Plan
Vijay seeks more water for Chennai; Naidu explains river-linking plan
Vijayawada: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday requested Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to release additional Krishna river water to Chennai under the Telugu Ganga project.
Naidu assured Vijay that the request would be examined based on water availability and Chennai’s requirements. The two Chief Ministers discussed drinking water shortages in Chennai and the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project during a meeting at Naidu’s camp office in Amaravati. Vijay, who visited Vijayawada to participate in Utsav Season 2, was warmly received by Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh.
Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had already released 4.08 tmc of water to Chennai and reiterated the state’s commitment to meeting the neighbouring city’s drinking water needs. However, he pointed out that Andhra Pradesh was also facing water scarcity this year due to reduced Krishna river inflows, attributed to the impact of El Nino.
The meeting assumes significance amid concerns over a shortfall in water supplies under the Telugu Ganga arrangement. Tamil Nadu had reportedly received only 2.251 tmc of its annual allocation of 12 tmc as of October 9. Under the existing arrangement, Andhra Pradesh is required to supply 8 tmc between July and October and another 4 tmc between January and April.
Naidu highlighted the importance of the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river link, describing river interlinking as a potential long-term solution to drought and water shortages through better utilisation of available water resources.
The broader plan includes Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Godavari-Banakacherla project, under which surplus Godavari water would be diverted to the Krishna river system and transferred to the Bollapalli reservoir. The proposal envisages carrying the water through Banakacherla and the Penna river system, with the larger interlinking plan extending supplies towards the Cauvery through Kandaleru.
“The AP government aims to implement the project with the participation of neighbouring states and the cooperation of the Centre,” Naidu said.
Tamil Nadu public works minister Aadhav Arjuna and the Chief Minister’s adviser Vishnu Reddy accompanied Vijay. AP ministers P. Narayana and Nimmala Ramanaidu, along with MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, were also present.