AP CM Naidu meets Jal Shakti Minister, discusses Polavaram, Jal Jeevan Mission works
New Delhi, Oct 8 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and discussed the progress of the Polavaram project and the Jal Jeevan Mission–Amarajeevi Jaladhara works being taken up in the state.
During the meeting, Naidu urged the Union Minister to ensure timely release of funds for both projects.
As part of his two-day visit to the national capital, the Chief Minister explained that Polavaram works were progressing at a fast pace with the objective of completing the project and dedicating it to the nation by the time of the next Godavari Pushkarams.
He also sought the Union Ministry’s intervention in resolving long-pending issues concerning Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
He requested permanent withdrawal of the Stop Work Order issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change over pending public hearings relating to protective embankments to be constructed in Odisha and Chhattisgarh as part of the Polavaram project.
Though the order is currently in abeyance, Naidu urged its permanent withdrawal and requested the Union Ministry to coordinate with the governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh to expedite the public hearing process.
The Chief Minister suggested convening a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh under the chairmanship of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to resolve the issues amicably in the larger interests of the three states through mutual cooperation and coordination.
Naidu informed the Union Minister that rehabilitation and resettlement works required 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 addressing the problems of displaced families and completing R&R works along with construction of the project.
He urged the Union Minister to ensure adequate funds for Polavaram and also discussed the measures required for impounding water up to the 45.72-metre contour.
The Chief Minister highlighted that large quantities of floodwater from the Godavari were flowing into the sea and explained the efforts being made to divert and utilise the water through the Pattiseema project.
He also said steps were being taken to develop Polavaram as a major tourism and spiritual destination.
Referring to the recently launched Jal Jeevan Mission–Amarajeevi Jaladhara works at Proddatur, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had around 95 lakh rural households, of which 62 lakh already had tap water connections.
He said foundation stones had recently been laid for works aimed at providing drinking water connections to another 27 lakh rural households.
The Chief Minister stressed that the state government was according the highest priority to the works and requested the Union Minister to ensure prompt release of funds in accordance with their progress.
During the meeting, Naidu also explained to the Union Minister the benefits of interlinking rivers in the southern states.
