Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his Chhattisgarh counterpart, Raman Singh on Monday decided to work together in improving road, rail and air connectivity and attracting entrepreneurs.
On the contentious Polavaram multipurpose project issue, Mr. Naidu told reporters on his return to Hyderabad around 10.30 p.m. that he had sought Dr. Singh’s cooperation in completion of the project as it had all the necessary clearances from the Centre. He was on a day’s visit to Chhattisgarh to see Naya Raipur and discuss the Polavaram issue.
He said he told Dr. Singh not to worry about package for resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons as the project was being taken up as national one by the Central government and it had even transferred seven mandals from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh. All political parties had agreed to this proposal. The erstwhile States of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and Odisha had entered into two agreements in 1978 and 1980.
But earlier in Naya Raipur, Mr. Naidu and Dr. Singh were not very forthcoming over their talks on the Polavaram issue, saying the matter was pending in the Supreme Court and hence sub judice.
Mr. Naidu who took with him a big delegation of three Ministers, officials and industrialists said both States would work towards linking Raipur with Visakhapatnam through road and rail network besides improving air connectivity. A task force would be formed with Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of Roads and Buildings of the two States.
‘A learning experience’
In Naya Raipur, he said he was impressed by the way the Chhattisgarh government had built its capital. After going round the new city he said he had learnt a lot, especially acquisition of land from farmers through pooling. “We will adopt its model for our capital and see that it is a win- win situation for the government and farmers.”
He said he was bowled over by the efficient PDS with real- time monitoring from procurement in remote area to distribution of grains everywhere making both farmers and the consumers happy. The use of IT in extending transparent and accountable administration too was laudable.
The two States had lot in common and offer excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, he said. Chhattisgarh had vast resources like coal, iron ore, bauxite and lime stone while Andhra Pradesh, virtually a new State, has opportunities in new capital, infrastructure, IT industry and agro- processing. Chhattisgarh can make use of a string of 14 ports that are planned on the coastline besides the existing ones.