AP suited for inter-linking of rivers: Naidu

November 22, 2014 12:18 am | Updated July 19, 2016 05:18 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the State was best suited for implementation of inter-linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers that could address problems faced by farmers in general and specially those in drought-hit Rayalaseema.

Mr. Naidu spoke of various proposals before the government on inter-linking and said it planned to utilise 150-200 tmc of water through this, to bring 15 lakh acres into cultivation. One such project would be linking right canal of Polavaram project on Godavari with river Krishna through water grafting and transfer 70 tmc. This could be completed in eight months by June 2015. He said 50 per cent of the Polavaram, now getting the national project status, was complete with digging of canals and the remaining work would be accomplished in four years time.

Making a power point presentation at a conference on inter-linking of rivers, “Jal Manthan”, organised by Union Water Resources Ministry New Delhi, Mr. Naidu water has become a prime commodity for which there were disputes between states as well as countries. The need opf the hour was to preserve each drop of water and ensure that river water does not going waste into sea. He complimented the Union Water Resources Minister, Uma Bhrathi for taking such initiative.

While explaining river water assets of Andhra Pradesh, he said at 75% dependability about 1460 tmc was available from four perennial rivers of Godavari, Krishna, Penna and Vamsadhara and this was catering to the needs of 80 lakh farmers all over the State.

At present out of 199 lakh acres cultivable area 101 lakh acres was irrigated area, leaving a balance of 97.81 lakh acres area to be irrigated. To bring this area into cultivation it required 978 tmc ft and a part of this could be accomplished with inter-linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers.

Recalling his past experience with the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his NDA colleagues and his visits to China, Malaysia and Singapore, he spoke about the way water was conserved in these countries as well as methods of treating waste water.  He completed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative on maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and China which would pave the way for resolving inter-country water disputes.

Mr. Naidu met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Ms. Uma Bharathi, and believed to have explained to them the water and power sharing disputes with Telangana State.

He also met Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and sought clearance to the pending Railway projects.

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