VIJAYAWADA: Advocating a transformative water-security roadmap for South India, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prioritise the strategic Godavari–Cauvery river interlinking project to permanently resolve water scarcity across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Thursday evening, Naidu congratulated Modi on completing 25 years in public life, commending his visionary leadership, decisive governance, and unwavering commitment to cooperative federalism in empowering States as equal partners toward achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Proposing the creation of a national ‘Water Grid’ through large-scale river interlinking—drawing a direct parallel with nationwide highway networks and unified power grids built under NDA administrations—Naidu submitted a detailed status report on the Polavaram Irrigation Project. He also requested Central financial assistance for the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams in 2027, which is expected to attract millions of pilgrims.
Addressing agrarian concerns, Naidu informed Modi that El Niño conditions had triggered a severe 53% rainfall deficit in AP.
CM holds talks with Shah on pending State issues; seeks saline land transfer
He detailed the State’s ongoing drought mitigation measures alongside recent agricultural milestones, including the launch of the Global Horticulture Hub at Madanapalle with Central cooperation, and the foundation stone laying for an Indian School of Agriculture, planned on the lines of ISB.
He also sought the Centre’s support for major infrastructure projects in AP, including the proposed Outer Ring Road in the capital Amaravati, approval for the Visakhapatnam Metro, and briefed the Prime Minister on the proposed Beach Road project. He further explained the objectives of the Swarna Andhra–2047 Vision, which seeks to ensure that the benefits of development reach all sections of society.
Earlier in the day, Naidu held crucial discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding pending State issues and interstate development matters. Reassuring progress on discussions held during the Southern Zonal Council meeting, Naidu urged Amit Shah to take proactive steps to advance the Godavari–Cauvery river interlinking project across Southern States.
Expanding his infrastructure development agenda, Naidu submitted a memorandum to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. He urged the Centre to extend full support, approvals, and funding for the 189-km Amaravati Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, calling it vital to meet the surging transport needs of the capital region and Vijayawada.
Naidu also pressed for Central cooperation to construct the Visakhapatnam Beach Road project to connect coastal industrial hubs, ports, and tourism centres, and requested federal backing for an iconic bridge at the Polavaram project site connecting the left and right flanks, along with associated feeder roads and bridges.
Focusing on port-led industrial expansion, Naidu met Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, requesting the transfer of 20,378 acres of saline lands currently under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to the State government.
Naidu explained that these lands are crucial for establishing port-based industrial zones, road and rail connectivity, and logistics infrastructure. Furthermore, he sought the Commerce Ministry’s support to strengthen international market linkages, processing facilities, quality standards, and export infrastructure for AP’s commercial crops, including chilli, tobacco, and aqua products.
