Chandrababu Naidu Meets Amit Shah; Seeks More Central Funds For Andhra Projects

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday urged the Central Government to provide additional financial assistance for various development projects and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the state.

During his visit to New Delhi, Naidu separately met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil.

The Chief Minister discussed pending project-related funds and matters connected to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh with Amit Shah. He also appealed for increased Central support for the state’s developmental requirements beyond the provisions announced in the Union Budget.

During discussions with Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Naidu highlighted several concerns linked to the Polavaram Project and stressed the need for timely completion. He sought the Centre’s cooperation to finish the prestigious irrigation project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams.

According to an official statement, the Chief Minister underlined the importance of completing civil works required for storing water up to 41.15 metres in the first phase.

Naidu also requested the permanent withdrawal of the ‘Stop Work Order’ issued in 2011 due to pending public hearing procedures in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. He stated that removing the order would help accelerate the remaining project works without obstacles.

The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that the state had increased the carrying capacity of both the right and left canals to 17,500 cusecs to meet irrigation demands. He added that authorities had already completed nearly 95 per cent of the right canal work and 78 per cent of the left canal work.

Naidu appealed to the Centre to reimburse expenses linked to the enhanced canal capacity and sanction funds for the upcoming phases of the project.

Naidu Raises Almatti Dam Concerns

The Andhra CM urged the Centre not to issue a Gazette notification regarding the proposed increase in the height of the Almatti Dam until the Supreme Court announces its final judgment. He said increasing the height from 519.60 metres to 524.256 metres could negatively affect Andhra Pradesh’s interests.

The Chief Minister additionally sought approvals for the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project aimed at diverting 200 TMC of Godavari floodwater for use in Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra regions.

In a separate request, Naidu sought Rs 285 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana for restoring and modernising 297 water bodies across the state.

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