CM Naidu seeks PM’s support for Godavari-Cauvery link

Amaravati: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to advance the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project, projecting it as a long-term solution to the water shortages confronting the southern states.

During his meeting with Modi in Delhi on Thursday, Naidu said linking the Godavari and Cauvery would ensure adequate water availability for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. He expressed his opinion that the initiative, coupled with coordination among the states, could resolve several water-related problems in the region.

Naidu suggested that the river-linking initiative could eventually contribute to the creation of a national water grid, pointing out that successive NDA governments had already developed extensive road networks and power grids across the country.

The Chief Minister urged Modi to take forward the proposal, which had figured in discussions at the Southern Zonal Council meetings. In a separate meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naidu again requested the Centre to take the initiative on the Godavari-Cauvery link.

Polavaram and irrigation were among the other major issues discussed with the Prime Minister. Naidu briefed Modi on the status of the Polavaram project and the state’s irrigation requirements.

With Andhra Pradesh preparing for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams, Naidu sought central financial assistance for infrastructure and other developmental works being undertaken for the event. He said arrangements were being made on a large scale and that devotees from the two Telugu states as well as other parts of India and abroad were expected to attend.

The Chief Minister informed Modi that Andhra Pradesh had registered a 53 per cent rainfall deficit due to the El Nino phenomenon, severely affecting agriculture, and explained the measures being taken by the state to address the drought situation.

Naidu briefed the Prime Minister on the Global Horticulture Hub launched at Madanapalle with central support and the proposed Indian School of Agriculture, modelled on the Indian School of Business.

The Chief Minister sought central support for major infrastructure projects, including the proposed Outer Ring Road for Amaravati, approval for the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail and the proposed Beach Road project. The Chief Minister congratulated Modi on completing 25 years in public life and praised his emphasis on cooperative federalism and the participation of states in achieving Viksit Bharat. He said Modi had enhanced India’s standing and credibility internationally.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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