As part of his Delhi visit, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil

As part of his Delhi visit, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a crucial meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil on Tuesday. The discussions focused on approvals for key irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh, pending central financial assistance, and the resolution of inter-state water disputes. The Chief Minister emphasized that these issues are vital for safeguarding farmers’ interests, ensuring drinking water security, and protecting the long-term interests of the state.

During the meeting, CM Chandrababu Naidu urged the Centre to permanently revoke the stop-work order on the Polavaram project, stating that it has caused serious hurdles in project execution. He sought reimbursement of the additional costs incurred due to capacity enhancement of the right and left main canals and requested financial support for Phase II works, including land acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of protective embankments, requiring nearly Rs 32,000 crore. He also appealed for approvals and technical and financial assistance for the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project under the National River Linking Policy. The Chief Minister requested early resolution of the Vamsadhara water dispute, publication of the tribunal’s final award in the Gazette to facilitate the Neradi Barrage construction, immediate constitution of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, and strongly objected to Karnataka’s move to raise the height of the Almatti Dam, warning of adverse impacts on downstream flows to Andhra Pradesh.