CM Naidu Declares River Interlinking as the Truest Tribute to Mother Earth
In a powerful address to Water Users' Associations (WUAs) presidents in Vijayawada, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday framed river interlinking as the most profound offering to the land, equating it to a "jal harati"—a water offering. He asserted that ensuring water reaches every acre of Andhra Pradesh is the state's highest duty and the ultimate homage to mother earth.
Scientific Water Management to End Drought Permanently
Naidu outlined a comprehensive vision to permanently eradicate drought through scientific water management, conservation, and strategic river connectivity. He detailed the state's annual water requirement at approximately 1,300 TMCs, with agriculture consuming 900 TMCs, industries 40 TMCs, and drinking water needs at 200 TMCs.
Highlighting Andhra Pradesh's natural advantages, the Chief Minister noted the state possesses 40 rivers and nearly 38,000 tanks, providing a storage capacity exceeding 1,300 TMCs. He reported that reservoirs are currently holding 862 TMCs this year, a significant volume. To enhance oversight, Naidu announced that all water resources data will be digitized for real-time monitoring of storage and usage patterns.
Addressing Water Wastage and Project Setbacks
Recalling his government's previous focus on watershed development, Naidu pointed out the alarming annual wastage of nearly 5,000 TMCs of Godavari and Krishna waters flowing into the sea. His administration aims to divert at least 200 TMCs of floodwater to critical projects like Nallamala Sagar to combat drought effectively.
The Chief Minister made serious allegations against the previous regime, accusing them of damaging the Nallamala Sagar project by submerging the diaphragm wall. This action, he claimed, resulted in a direct loss of ₹440 crore and escalated reconstruction costs by nearly ₹1,000 crore.
Polavaram: A Cornerstone for River Interlinking
Naidu reaffirmed his commitment to completing the Polavaram project, pledging to dedicate it to the nation by the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams. He described Polavaram as the linchpin for river interlinking in the state.
- Connecting the Polavaram left canal with the Vamsadhara river to green the arid regions of north Andhra.
- Linking Nallamala Sagar to supply vital water to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.
Cross-Border Cooperation and Filling Reservoirs
In a gesture of regional solidarity, Naidu stated that his government never objected to Telangana's Kaleshwaram project, even post-bifurcation. He emphasized that Telugu people reside on both sides and shared water usage benefits all stakeholders. The overarching goal is to fill every reservoir and chain-linked tank across Andhra Pradesh, ensuring no farmer or citizen faces water scarcity.
Empowering Water Users' Associations
The Chief Minister highlighted the pivotal role of Water Users' Associations, urging their representatives to act like engineers, adopt innovative practices, and take full ownership of local water management. He reported that ₹68 crore has been invested in project maintenance, with visible results already emerging.
Addressing Criticisms and Future Commitments
Responding to criticisms from the YSRCP regarding the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project—which was halted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) due to lack of statutory clearances—Naidu provided assurances. He committed to supplying water to all regions through:
- The Machumarri system
- The Pothireddypadu head regulator
- Completing the Chintalapudi lift project within this year
Chandrababu Naidu's address presented a detailed, data-driven roadmap for transforming Andhra Pradesh's water security through interlinking rivers, leveraging technology, and fostering community-led management, positioning it as a model for sustainable resource governance.
