Chandrababu Naidu proposes Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that interlinking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers could eliminate drought conditions in southern Indian states. Speaking in Proddatur, he noted that significant amounts of water flow into the sea during droughts and suggested that utilizing even a fraction of Godavari floodwater could benefit the Rayalaseema region.

Naidu announced the launch of the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 – Amarajeevi Jaladhara’ programmes, which aim to provide tap water connections to 90 lakh households and 3.30 crore people with an outlay of Rs 30,136 crore. He also committed to launching 36 irrigation projects worth Rs 35,000 crore over the next three years.

The Chief Minister pledged to complete the Polavaram project before the Godavari Pushkaram, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would dedicate the project to the nation. He also criticized the previous YSR Congress government for failing to secure sufficient central funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission compared to other Indian states.