Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil to ensure the timely release of funds for the Polavaram project and Jal Jeevan Mission–Amarajeevi Jaladhara works during a meeting in New Delhi.
The discussion took place during Naidu’s two-day visit to the national capital, with the Chief Minister briefing the Union minister on the progress of Polavaram and the recently launched drinking-water works in Andhra Pradesh. According to a PTI report, Naidu said Polavaram construction was progressing at a fast pace and that the state aimed to complete the project and dedicate it to the nation by the time of the next Godavari Pushkarams.
The meeting also covered long-pending issues involving Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Naidu sought the permanent withdrawal of the Stop Work Order issued by the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry in connection with pending public hearings for protective embankments proposed in the two states as part of the Polavaram project. The order is currently in abeyance, but the Chief Minister asked for its permanent withdrawal.
Naidu further urged the Union ministry to coordinate with the governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and encourage them to expedite the public hearing process. He suggested that the Union Jal Shakti Ministry convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh to address the matter.
The inter-state process is linked to the project’s wider implementation, including protective embankments and the management of impacts beyond Andhra Pradesh. Naidu said the issue could be resolved through mutual cooperation, coordination and a spirit of give-and-take in the interests of all three states.
The Chief Minister also told the Union minister that rehabilitation and resettlement works needed for impounding water up to the 41.15-metre contour at Polavaram were being expedited. He said the state government was giving equal priority to resolving the problems of displaced families and completing rehabilitation and resettlement works alongside construction.
Funding requirements for impounding water up to the 45.72-metre contour were also discussed. Naidu asked the Union minister to ensure that Polavaram did not face a shortage of funds as the project advances.
The Chief Minister highlighted the volume of Godavari floodwater flowing into the sea and referred to efforts to divert and utilise water through the Pattiseema project. He also said steps were being taken to develop Polavaram as a major tourism and spiritual destination.
The meeting included a review of the Jal Jeevan Mission–Amarajeevi Jaladhara works recently taken up at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore. Referring to the foundation-stone ceremonies held at Proddatur, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had around 95 lakh rural households, of which 62 lakh already had tap-water connections. Foundation stones had also been laid for works intended to provide drinking-water connections to another 27 lakh rural households.
Naidu requested the Union minister to ensure prompt release of funds for these works in line with their progress. The two sides also discussed the benefits of interlinking rivers in the southern states, according to the report.
