Chandrababu Urges Modi to Advance Godavari–Cauvery River Linking Project

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support key projects aimed at accelerating the state’s development. During a meeting lasting around 90 minutes in New Delhi on Thursday, Naidu discussed the state’s financial position, the progress of the Polavaram project and the proposed Godavari–Cauvery river-linking initiative. He said the project could improve water availability for agriculture and industry in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, allowing southern states to focus more on development. He also sought financial assistance for projects planned around the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu and highlighted the impact of deficient rainfall attributed to El Niño on agriculture in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu urged the Centre to support major infrastructure initiatives, including the Amaravati Outer Ring Road, the beach road project and the Visakhapatnam Metro, and briefed the Prime Minister on the state’s Swarna Andhra-2047 vision.

During his Delhi visit, Naidu also held meetings with several Union ministers to seek support for infrastructure, water resources and port-led development. In discussions with Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, he raised the proposed 189-km Amaravati Outer Ring Road, the beach road project and an iconic bridge at Polavaram. He asked Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to facilitate the transfer of around 20,378 acres of salt-pan land for port-linked industrial development and sought support for export infrastructure. With Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, he discussed pending clearances for Polavaram, rehabilitation work and funding to store water up to the 45.72-metre contour, along with funds for rural drinking-water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also discussed a terminal at Mulapeta Port and a shipbuilding centre at Dugarajapatnam with Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and raised state-related issues with Home Minister Amit Shah. Naidu also congratulated Modi on his 25-year public service journey.