Latest news with #Polavaram-Banakacherla
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre to form panel to resolve Andhra-Telangana water issues
The Union government on Wednesday decided to constitute a high-level expert committee comprising officials and technical experts within a week to resolve pending inter-state water issues related to Krishna and Godavari river projects between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Centre to form panel to resolve Andhra-Telangana water issues The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil with Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu, along with irrigation ministers of both states at Shram Shakti Bhavan in New Delhi. 'To address the remaining issues in a comprehensive and technical manner, it was decided to constitute a committee,' the Jal Shakti ministry said in a statement, adding the committee will collaboratively assess outstanding issues and recommend equitable and technically viable solutions. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Revanth Reddy said both states decided to form a committee of officials and engineers to deliberate on water disputes. 'The committee's report will guide future action,' the Telangana CM said. While Andhra Pradesh irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said his government had submitted a written proposal to the Centre on the controversial Polavaram Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP), the Telangana CM said the issue did not come up for discussion at all. 'The Polavaram-Banakacherla project issue wasn't part of the agenda. So, the question of having a discussion on the issue and debating its cancellation did not arise,' the Congress leader said. 'The meeting went on in a cordial manner and the outcome was in favour of Telangana… Some people want conflicts between the states. But our agenda is to resolve disputes peacefully, not to provoke fights.' The meeting also saw agreement on installing telemetry instruments at all off-take points along the Krishna river and its canals to measure the exact quantity of water being drawn by both the states. 'We requested the Centre to support telemetry installation due to doubts about Krishna water usage. Even if the Centre does not fund it, the Telangana government will allocate funds. The previous government showed no urgency, but we've now decided to move forward,' Telangana irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said. Both states also agreed that the Godavari River Management Board will be headquartered in Telangana, while the Krishna River Management Board will be based in Andhra Pradesh, he said. His Andhra Pradesh counterpart Ramanaidu said: 'This committee will draft a roadmap to provide justice to both states. Though governed by different parties, we are Telugu people and must work together.' He added that Andhra Pradesh had agreed to take steps for the protection of Srisailam project. 'The meeting discussed the need to take up repairs and safety measures. The Centre will act based on the expert committee's recommendations,' Ramanaidu added. The TDP leader said that Andhra Pradesh had submitted its proposal on the Polavaram-Banakacherla project which would utilise only surplus water flowing into the sea. 'We presented 100-year flow averages in the river, noting that 3,000 TMC of Godavari water enters the sea annually, and the project would divert only 200 TMC,' he added. The NDA-led Andhra Pradesh government said the project would not harm upper riparian states and urged Telangana and the Centre to understand its position being a lower riparian state. It also emphasised that the state had not opposed any Telangana project in the last 11 years.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
CM Chandrababu Naidu seeks Amit Shah's support for Polavaram-Banakacherla link project
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed various projects, including Polavaram-Banakacherla and financial matters related to AP. At the outset, the Chief Minister conveyed his appreciation to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Central Government for appointing senior TDP leader and former Union Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the Governor of Goa. Following this, the Chief Minister held detailed discussions with Amit Shah on several issues concerning Andhra Pradesh. He briefed the Home Minister about the need for financial support for various projects and development programs in the state. The CM also expressed his thanks for the Centre's support during the state's challenging times over the past year and said the state is working to rebuild its shattered economy with central assistance. Surplus water of Godavari is AP's right: CM However, he highlighted that Andhra Pradesh continues to face a severe shortage of financial resources and urged the Centre to extend further support. He informed Shah that the 16th Finance Commission has been requested to consider the financial losses suffered by AP due to bifurcation while allocating funds. He also raised the issue of the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project, which is critical to supplying water to drought-hit areas in the State. If this interlinking project is completed, it will significantly benefit the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. Naidu explained to Shah that even after meeting the needs of the upper and lower riparian states, surplus water from the Godavari continues to flow steadily for about 90 to 120 days. He stressed that, as the last State on the river's course, AP has the rightful claim to fully utilise this surplus water from the Godavari. Earlier, NITI Aayog Member V K Saraswat met with the Chief Minister at his Delhi residence. They discussed the establishment of aerospace and defence industries in Rayalaseema. Later, he met Delhi Metro Rail MD Dr Vikas Kumar and deliberated on the construction Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro projects.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM dares KCR for a debate on river water issues in assembly
Upping the ante against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K. Chandrasekhar Rao for allegedly mortgaging the interests of Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has challenged the Opposition leader for a debate in the legislative assembly on Polavaram- Banakacherla on Godavari proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government. The BRS president can chose the time and date of his choice and the government is prepared to convene a special session to exclusively discuss about the State's share of water in Godavari and Krishna rivers and the way the interests of farmers are mortgaged by the previous regime. 'I will come with proofs to nail who is the traitor of Telangana. Is Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao ready?' the Chief Minister said. Mr. Revanth Reddy utilised the celebrations organised to mark completion of crediting of over ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of 70 lakh farmers under Rythu Bandhu to launch a tirade against the BRS. The BRS leaders were trying to cast aspersions on the Congress government when their government had in fact compromised on the State's interests in lure of commissions. He took strong exceptions to the attempts of the main Opposition to provoke the people in the name of alleged injustice to the State in Godavari water. 'The Polavaram-Banakacherla project was conceptualised by the neighbouring State after Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's claim in 2016 that 3,000 tmcft of Godavari water is going waste into the sea. The BRS president went on the assert that he will extend his cooperation in making Rayalaseema fertile agreeing for diversion of Godavari water through Handri-Neeva project by the neighbouring State,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said. He criticised the BRS leaders for trying to project an image that he (Mr. Revanth Reddy) allowed diversion of Godavari water becoming hand in glove with A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 'I did not betray the Congress like he (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao) does after promising to merge his party with the Congress,' he alleged. The situation was no different when it came to Krishna waters. Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, the former Chief Minister, agreed for Telangana's share of 299 tmcft out of the 811 tmcft allowing A.P. to draw 512 tmcft as its share. 'There is record of the Apex Council meeting where Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has accepted the offer. I am ready to furnish the proof if he is willing to come face to face in the assembly,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said. Telangana, according to international norms, should get 555 tmcft of Krishna water as 66% of the area traversed by the river was in Telangana. The Chief Minister was particularly critical of the previous government for, what he called, swindling away huge public money in the name of Kaleshwaram project which suffered major damages within three years of construction. 'His (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's) family amassed thousands of crores in the name of Kaleshwaram while he mortgaged the interests of the State, especially of farmers, agreeing to lower share in river water,' he said. The BRS government had in fact shelved the pending projects like Nettempadu, Bhima, Kalwakurthy and others works which were started when the Congress was in power in the erstwhile united State. He also dismissed claims of the BRS leaders that the government did not mount pressure on the Centre against the projects proposed by the neighbouring A.P. government. 'I am fighting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Telangana's rights and am prepared to go to any extent in this regard,' he said recalling his warning to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil that the State would approach the Supreme Court if permission were granted to Polavaram-Banakacherla project. Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced that the focus of his government will now be on effective implementation of Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, the scheme aimed at providing financial support to eligible youth for taking up self employment. He said after completion of Rythu Bharosa, crediting ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of over 70 lakh farmers in nine days, the government had resolved to finalise a concrete action plan in the interests of youth. Rajiv Yuva Vikasam was conceived after filling over 60,000 vacant posts in the government enabling more youth to get employment opportunities.
India Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
K Kavitha calls summons to father KCR in Kaleshwaram project political vendetta
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha staged a protest at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad today, condemning the judicial summons issued to her father, former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), in connection with the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), calling it a politically driven attempt to target under the banner of Telangana Jagruthi, the cultural organisation led by Kavitha, the protest saw party supporters gather in large numbers to oppose the Justice PC Ghose Commission's summons to KCR over alleged irregularities in the multi-crore irrigation so-called judicial commission is nothing but a Congress commission,' Kavitha said, accusing the Congress-led state government of trying to 'erase KCR's legacy' and discredit his pro-farmer initiatives. She alleged that the probe was part of a larger political conspiracy and insisted that the Kaleshwaram project, which aims to irrigate 40 lakh acres when fully operational, has been a lifeline for farmers across Telangana. 'The entire intent of this notice is to tarnish the image of a leader who gave Telangana water, power, and self-respect,' she who was initially summoned to appear before the commission on June 5, has reportedly requested a new date and is now expected to depose on June also targeted current Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, questioning his silence on Andhra Pradesh's proposed Polavaram-Banakacherla project, which aims to divert 200 TMC of surplus Godavari water to drought-prone areas in Andhra claimed the Telangana government was ignoring serious inter-state water issues while focusing on what she called a 'political witch-hunt.'In response, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had earlier said that the Polavaram-Banakacherla plan would only utilise surplus Godavari water that would otherwise flow into the sea, and urged Telangana not to Kaleshwaram project, once touted as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation scheme, has come under scrutiny over cost escalations, design flaws, and substandard construction, allegations the BRS strongly Watch IN THIS STORY#Telangana
The Print
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Andhra CM seeks Centre's support for Polavaram-Banakacherla project, rooftop solar scheme
'Had a productive meeting,' Naidu, a key ally of the NDA, said in a post on X after meeting Sitharaman. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, New and Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Joshi, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh to discuss various state government's projects. New Delhi, May 23 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met several Union ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and sought the Centre's support for the state's renewable energy initiatives, the Polavaram–Banakacherla project and a defence manufacturing hub proposal. The chief minister — who is in the national capital to attend the 10th Governing Council meeting of the Niti Aayog to be held on May 24 — said he discussed in detail the crucial Polavaram-Banakacherla project, which is aimed at taking surplus Godavari waters to the drought-hit regions of the state. 'Powered by Centre-State collaboration, this river linking initiative will ensure water access and long-term development for our people,' he tweeted. The chief minister said the project would benefit millions in drought-hit areas and serve as a model for river-linking across India. The state government has proposed a detailed financing building on earlier discussions with the Finance Ministry. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected by June 2025, he said and requested for better coordination between concerned departments to fast-track the project. Before meeting Sitharaman, Naidu discussed the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project with the Jal Shakti Minister and explained the significance of the project for enhancing water security in drought-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh. He informed that the proposed project aims to divert surplus Godavari floodwater to the drought-affected areas through a three-part water transfer system, including the Bollapalle reservoir, lift irrigation systems, and tunnels through the Nallamala hills. Naidu said the project supports national missions like Jal Jeevan, Blue Revolution, and Make in India while highlighting Andhra Pradesh's rightful access to surplus water as a downstream state after bifurcation, according to a statement. 'The Polavaram-Banakacherla initiative focuses on sustainable solutions to support irrigation, drinking water, and regional growth. Sought the Centre's full support to take this forward under our long-term vision for #SwarnaAndhra2047,' Naidu said in a post on X. Assuring that a detailed project report (DPR) would be submitted soon, Naidu requested timely approval for the project, the statement said. In his meeting with the Defence Minister, Naidu presented a strategic vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a national hub for defence manufacturing and aerospace innovation, an official statement said. The proposals include the development of integrated defence facilities, the revival of critical manufacturing units, support for indigenous aviation programmes, the establishment of testing and training centres, and the creation of thematic defence hubs, it added. 'We discussed a comprehensive roadmap for Andhra Pradesh to emerge as a cornerstone of India's defence and aerospace future. ….Grateful for his encouraging response and assurance of full support,' the chief minister said in another post on X. Naidu also underlined the state's readiness — with its strong infrastructure base, skilled workforce, and proactive policy environment — to play a leading role in advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission through self-reliant defence production and innovation, the statement said. In his meeting with the Union New and Renewable Energy Minister, Naidu requested the allocation of rooftop solar capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and urged expediting approval of the proposals submitted by state electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) in January. 'Had a fruitful meeting… With the Centre's support, we will reduce energy costs, empower our people, and lead India's clean energy transition,' Naidu wrote on X. The chief minister has set a target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by 2025. Under the scheme, SC/ST households will receive free rooftop solar systems, while backward caste households will get Rs 10,000 per kWp subsidy for up to 2kWp installations. The state's Clean Energy Policy 2024-29 targets an additional 72.6 GW of renewable energy, including 40 GW of solar power. In a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Naidu sought support to transform the state into a pivotal hub for space manufacturing and innovation. The proposal outlines the development of two state-supported Space Cities — one near the ISRO SHAR spaceport and another near Lepakshi — to serve as integrated hubs for satellite production, launch vehicle development, and industry collaboration. He also apprised the Union Minister of the appointment of S Somanath, former ISRO Chairman, as the Honorary Adviser on Space Technology to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu were present during the meetings. PTI LUX BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
