All Governments Must Work Together for Farmers’ Welfare: AP CM Naidu
Hospet (Karnataka), June 25 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said all governments should work together for the welfare of farmers and ensure effective management of water resources.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the newly installed gates of the Tungabhadra Dam along with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Naidu said that though states may be different, the country remains one.
He said the Tungabhadra Dam has played a vital role in providing irrigation and drinking water to people in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
Recalling the August 2024 incident in which one of the dam gates was washed away, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka jointly undertook restoration works and installed 33 new gates at a cost of ₹51 crore.
He said a stop-lock gate was installed after the 19th gate was damaged to prevent water wastage and that the subsequent restoration of all 33 crest gates had further strengthened the project. He appreciated the cooperation between the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka governments in completing the works.
Highlighting the historical and spiritual significance of the Tungabhadra River, the Chief Minister said it had served as a natural protective barrier for the Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi.
He noted that several prominent pilgrimage centres, including the Jogulamba Temple, Virupaksha Temple at Hampi and the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt at Mantralayam, are located along its banks.
Stressing the importance of river interlinking, Naidu said it was essential for the country’s future water security. Referring to the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, he said a similar Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project would provide long-term benefits to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Recalling a decision taken in 1983 by the Prime Minister and four Chief Ministers, he said it was agreed to provide five TMC of water to Tamil Nadu and, with the consent of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, 15 TMC of drinking water was supplied to Chennai.
Expressing concern over declining reservoir inflows due to the impact of El Niño, Naidu underlined the need for prudent and efficient utilisation of available water resources.
He suggested that states should first implement river-linking projects within their own territories before moving towards inter-state river interlinking initiatives.
Reiterating that protecting farmers’ interests is the common objective of all governments, Naidu described the meeting of southern states on the banks of the Tungabhadra as a historic event and called upon all stakeholders to work together for the welfare of farmers.
TNT KM
