‘Never opposed any Telangana project’: CM Naidu says Godavari project will not harm any State

Kuppam: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asserted that the proposed Godavari-Banakacheral link project will not harm Telangana in any manner, dismissing the neighbouring State’s objections as baseless.

‘No threat to any State’

Speaking to media persons in his constituency, Kuppam in Chittoor district on Thursday, Naidu rejected the Telangana government’s claim that the project would impact its interests. “This project poses no threat to any State. Some people are deliberately spreading misinformation,” he said.

He also pointed out that 2,000 TMC of Godavari water flows unused into the sea and emphasised that its utilisation would benefit both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

‘Never opposed Telangana projects’

Responding to allegations by Telangana leaders that he had opposed their irrigation projects, CM Naidu clarified that during his tenure as the chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh, he had laid the foundation for many projects in Telangana. “I never opposed the construction of projects by Telangana across the Godavari,” he asserted. He maintained that both upper and lower riparian states can use the river’s waters.

Environmental clearance on hold

Recently, the Central Environmental Expert Committee (EAC) declined to grant environmental clearance to the Godavari-Banakacheral project, citing objections raised by Telangana. The EAC observed that the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal (GWDT) award needs to be examined before granting approval and recommended consulting the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy had written to the Centre opposing the project, stating that it violates both the GWDT award and the State Reorganisation Act.

Criticism of YSR Congress over P4

CM Naidu also criticised the YSR Congress Party for attacking the new P4 initiative introduced by the coalition government.

He explained that the programme aims at poverty alleviation, similar to his earlier Janmabhoomi initiative and condemned former leaders who “looted government resources” for criticising welfare schemes.

He highlighted that under P4, a family from Timmarajupalli village in Kuppam had come forward to support the poor. Naidu expressed hope that more people would contribute to society through such programmes.