NOBODY SHOULD FEEL BAD!! Andhra CM Assures Telangana on Godavari Water Diversion Plan

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reassured Telangana residents that the state’s plan to divert Godavari river water from Polavaram to Banakacherla poses no threat. Speaking at a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) event celebrating recent MLC election wins, Naidu emphasized that the initiative targets only excess water otherwise lost to the sea, aiming to benefit drought-prone regions.

Naidu criticized an unnamed political party for politicizing the issue, urging unity among Telugu people. “When water draining into the sea is redirected to famine-hit areas, nobody should feel bad,” he said, appealing for a broader perspective. He questioned the opposition’s stance, noting Andhra Pradesh’s right to utilize wasted resources, and cited his support for Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project as evidence of his cooperative approach.

Highlighting the Godavari as a lifeline for Telugu society, Naidu pointed out that up to 1,000 TMC of its water flows unused into the Bay of Bengal annually. He advocated for river interlinking, recalling former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s efforts and his own discussions with PM Narendra Modi, who prioritized intra-state river projects first.

Naidu encouraged Telangana to tap available water resources, allowing surplus to benefit Andhra Pradesh. Referencing the 2024 Vijayawada floods, he noted how unutilized rainfall from Telangana and Karnataka worsened the crisis, asserting lower riparian states’ rights. “This project is for the betterment of Telugu people,” he affirmed.

The Polavaram-Banakacherla link, costing over Rs 80,000 crore, will channel 200 TMC of floodwater to Nandyal district via a canal. It promises to irrigate 3 lakh hectares, supplement 9.14 lakh hectares, provide drinking water to 80 lakh people, and supply 20 TMC to industries, aiming to make Andhra Pradesh drought-resistant. Naidu called for positivity among leaders to ensure mutual progress.