Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday struck a firm yet conciliatory note on inter-State water disputes, urging political restraint and strongly defending the Polavaram irrigation project amid objections from Telangana. After inspecting the progress of works at the project site, the Chief Minister addressed the media and made it clear that river waters should not be turned into political flashpoints.

Stating that the Godavari carries abundant water, Chandrababu Naidu said surplus flows that ultimately drain into the sea can be productively utilised. “Objecting to Polavaram makes no sense. Water issues should not be politicised or used as political weapons,” he said, appealing to Telangana leaders to act with maturity. Emphasising unity among Telugu-speaking people, he remarked that both States must adopt a spirit of cooperation. “The Telugu people are one. There must be give-and-take. Creating hostility between the two States will only benefit outsiders,” he cautioned.

Referring to upstream projects on the Godavari, he pointed out that the Devadula project lies above Polavaram and that water released from there inevitably flows downstream. “If one objects to water reaching Polavaram, what is the logic behind it? We never opposed Devadula, nor did we object when Telangana built the Kaleshwaram project,” he said. He added that efficient water conservation would benefit Telangana as well, noting that surplus water could be stored in reservoirs such as Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar.

On the Krishna basin, Chandrababu Naidu warned that indiscriminate construction of upstream projects would be harmful, given limited water availability. However, he said safeguarding the Godavari delta and linking the Krishna and Godavari rivers offered a sustainable, long-term solution. Dismissing criticism over Rayalaseema lift irrigation, he said some were under the mistaken belief that repeating falsehoods would eventually make them appear true.

Completion of Polavaram, River linking my life’s ambition: CM

Reiterating his long-term vision, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said completing the Polavaram project and linking rivers across the country remained his life’s ambition, asserting that interlinking rivers was key to making India drought-free and ensuring balanced regional development.

During his inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed works across key components of the project and set clear timelines. He announced that construction of the new diaphragm wall would be completed by February 15, while Phase-I works were targeted for completion by March 2027 to enable the release of water. He said the government was compelled to spend an additional Rs. 1,000 crore on rebuilding the diaphragm wall, adding that main dam works were nearing completion and embankment works would be finished by June.

He said ECRF dam gap-2 works were targeted for completion by March next year, with rehabilitation and resettlement to be completed within a year. He added that 368 TMC of water was currently available in Rayalaseema reservoirs, enabling farmers, including those in Nellore district, to plan a second crop. He reiterated that Polavaram must be completed at the earliest to secure irrigation benefits for all regions of the State.