Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu urges river linking to protect farmers’ interests

Vijayawada: Renewing his pitch for interlinking of rivers, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said govts should focus on intra-linking of rivers first within their respective states and later interlinking of rivers between states.He said this after a meeting with Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar,

Telangana

CM A Revanth Reddy and Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil on the sidelines of the inauguration of 33 newly installed crest gates at the

Tungabhadra Dam

in Munirabad, Koppal district, Karnataka. The new gates replace the 19th crest gate that had collapsed in Aug 2024.In a rare display of interstate cooperation, the three chief ministers agreed to work towards a lasting solution to Tungabhadra basin water-sharing disputes, with the Centre acting as facilitator.

Naidu termed the joint meeting “historic” and stressed the need for coordinated efforts among states for farmers’ welfare.Speaking at a public meeting after inaugurating the restored spillway gates at the Tungabhadra dam, Naidu said, “States may be different, but we are one as a country. We must work together for the benefit of farmers.”Naidu said the dam provides irrigation and drinking water to people across three states, including 1.46 lakh hectares in AP.

“We first installed a stop-lock gate to prevent water loss and later replaced all 33 gates with coordination between AP and Karnataka at a cost of ₹51 crore,” he said.He said the meeting of leaders, held before the inauguration, focused on water utilisation and long-term cooperation among the states. Calling for a national approach to water management, Naidu said, “River linking is essential for the country’s future.

If Godavari and Cauvery are linked, it will benefit AP, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.”Naidu observed that interlinking of rivers in other parts of the country showed results, and similar initiatives should be taken forward in the south. He also stressed the need for the efficient use of water resources, citing reduced inflows due to weather conditions.“States should first complete internal river linking, then move towards inter-state integration,” he said, adding that protecting irrigation projects is critical for agriculture and urged all states to work together to safeguard farmers’ interests.