Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu raised concerns on Friday about the ongoing disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding the utilization of excess water flowing into the sea. He emphasized the futility of conflicts over the surplus water from the Godavari River that eventually ends up in the sea. Chandrababu Naidu made these remarks during a public gathering in Rayavaram village, East Godavari district, where he distributed ‘pattadar’ passbooks to farmers.
Referring to the objections raised by Telangana against the Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar project and the controversy surrounding the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project, the Chief Minister highlighted that some individuals seem to prefer discord over resolving water-related issues. He asserted that the state’s interests would not be compromised, emphasizing that disputes would not be beneficial to either party. Chandrababu Naidu stressed the importance of utilizing the excess water effectively to mitigate drought conditions and water scarcity in the region.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the benefits of completing the Polavaram project, stating that it would address water shortages and facilitate water transfer from Polavaram to Visakhapatnam and further to Vamsadhara. He expressed that the completion of the Polavaram project would also enable Telangana to utilize the surplus water effectively. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the positive impact of diverting Godavari water to the Krishna river through the Pattiseema lift irrigation project, which has contributed to the development of Rayalaseema as a significant horticultural center.
Moreover, Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the significance of land ownership to farmers and their families, highlighting the confidence instilled by receiving ‘pattadar’ passbooks from the Andhra Pradesh government. He criticized the previous government’s handling of land disputes and the Land Titling Act, which was subsequently abolished by the Telugu Desam Party-led state government. The Chief Minister underscored the transparent land survey process and the distribution of passbooks with the slogan “Mee Bhoomi- Mee Hakku” (Your land, your right), incorporating blockchain technology to safeguard land records from tampering.
