Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu Seeks Timely Central Funds for Jal Jeevan Mission, Polavaram

During the meeting, Naidu briefed the Union Minister on the progress of Polavaram and the Jal Jeevan Mission-Amarajeevi Jaladhara works, which were recently taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 30,000 crore.

As part of his two-day visit to the national capital, Naidu said work on Polavaram was progressing rapidly and that the state government was working to complete the project and dedicate it to the nation during the Godavari Pushkarams next year.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister also raised several long-pending issues involving Odisha and Chhattisgarh in connection with Polavaram. He sought the permanent withdrawal of the Stop Work Order issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change over pending public hearings for protective embankments to be constructed in the two neighbouring states as part of the project.

Although the Stop Work Order is currently in abeyance, Naidu requested that it be withdrawn permanently. He also urged the Union Ministry to coordinate with the governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and encourage them to complete the required public hearing process at the earliest.

Naidu proposed that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh to address the issues. He said the concerns could be resolved through cooperation, coordination and a spirit of give-and-take in the interests of all three states.

The Chief Minister said rehabilitation and resettlement work required for impounding water up to the 41.15-metre contour at Polavaram was being accelerated. He said the state government was giving equal importance to resolving displaced families' concerns and completing the rehabilitation and resettlement process alongside project construction.

Naidu also requested the Centre to ensure that Polavaram did not face any shortage of funds. The two sides discussed the work and measures needed to impound water up to the 45.72-metre contour.

Highlighting the potential of the Godavari River, Naidu said large quantities of floodwater were currently flowing into the sea and emphasised efforts to divert and utilise the water through the Pattiseema project. He also said steps were being taken to develop Polavaram as a major tourism and spiritual destination.

Discussing the recently launched Jal Jeevan Mission-Amarajeevi Jaladhara works at Proddatur, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh has around 95 lakh rural households, of which about 62 lakh already have tap water connections.

He said foundation stones had recently been laid for projects aimed at providing drinking water connections to another 27 lakh rural households. Naidu stressed that the state government was giving these works high priority and requested the Union Minister to ensure prompt release of funds in line with implementation progress.

The Chief Minister also briefed Patil on the potential benefits of interlinking rivers in the southern states.