AP Has Right To Fully Utilise Godavari Surplus Water: CM
Naidu said this link project was crucial for transferring water to the drought-stricken areas of the state.
New Delhi:Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday and explained to him the issue of the Polavaram-Banakacharla Link Project.
Naidu said this link project was crucial for transferring water to the drought-stricken areas of the state. The plan, he said, is to transfer 200tmc of floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacharla regulator in Kurnool district.
The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Shah and the central government for appointing senior Telugu Desam leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the Goa governor.
Naidu held detailed discussions with Amit Shah on issues concerning Andhra Pradesh. He briefed the central leader about the need for financial support for various projects and development programmes in AP. The CM said Andhra Pradesh continued to face a severe shortage of financial resources and urged the Centre to extend further support.
He informed Amit Shah that the 16th Finance Commission has been requested to consider the financial losses suffered by Andhra Pradesh due to bifurcation, while it allocates funds to states. He said the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project was critical for supplying water to drought-hit areas in AP. The project proposes to divert 200tmc-ft of floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district.
Naidu stressed, “If this interlinking project is completed, it will significantly benefit the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.”
The CM explained to Amit Shah that even after meeting the needs of the upper and lower riparian states, surplus water from the Godavari river continued to flow steadily for about 90 to 120 days. He stressed that, as the last state in the river's course, Andhra Pradesh has the rightful claim to fully utilise this surplus water from the Godavari.
Earlier, NITI Aayog member VK Saraswat met the Chief Minister at his Delhi residence. They discussed the establishment of aerospace and defence industries in AP. The CM informed Saraswat that the government aimed to set up defence industries in the Rayalaseema region. The two also discussed the region’s suitability for such industries and the steps needed to attract investments in this sector.
Later, Delhi Metro Rail managing director Vikas Kumar met the CM. They held discussions on cooperation for the construction of metro projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
Naidu called on Railways, Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the latter’s residence in New Delhi and consoled him on the demise of his father, Daulal Vaishnaw.
