Babu seeks support for irrigation, agriculture & industrial revival

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a series of crucial meetings with senior Union Ministers in New Delhi, pressing for immediate central assistance and policy clearances on irrigation projects, agricultural reforms and industrial revival initiatives. During his interactions with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Chief Minister, placed before the Centre a detailed roadmap aimed at securing the state’s long-term water security, farmers’ welfare and economic growth.

In his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Chandrababu Naidu focused primarily on pending approvals and financial support for major irrigation projects. 

He urged the Centre to permanently lift the stop work order imposed on the Polavaram Project, stating that the order has been creating administrative and procedural hurdles in its execution. The Chief Minister sought reimbursement for additional expenditure incurred due to enhancement of the capacity of the Polavaram right and left canals. He also requested full central assistance for Phase-II of the Polavaram Project, which includes land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement and construction of protective embankments, requiring an estimated ₹32,000 crore.

Naidu further presented proposals for the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link Project, aimed at diverting surplus Godavari flood waters to drought-prone Rayalaseema and other deficit regions. Raising inter-state issues, he pressed for early resolution of the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha Vamsadhara water dispute and urged the Union Minister to ensure immediate publication of the Vamsadhara Tribunal final report in the Gazette to facilitate construction of the Neradi barrage. The Chief Minister also demanded immediate constitution of a Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal to resolve the continuing water-sharing conflict between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Later, Chandrababu Naidu met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and discussed a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s agriculture and allied sectors. Highlighting that AP contributes nearly 10 percent to the nation’s agricultural GDP, the Chief Minister sought greater central guidance and funding support. He urged release of ₹216 crore incentives due under the PM-PRANAM scheme for reduction in chemical fertilizer usage, pointing out that the state had successfully reduced chemical inputs by 2.28 percent in 2024-25.

The Chief Minister requested ₹200 crore assistance for development of the coconut sector, including establishment of coconut processing parks, modern tender coconut markets and farmer training centres. Naidu also urged establishment of a Makhana Development Board in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the Kolleru lake region has potential to cultivate makhana on 50,000 acres.

In another significant meeting, Chandrababu Naidu thanked Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for the revival of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He noted that the plant has returned to profitability, recording a profit of ₹54 crore due to central financial assistance, state government support and the hard work of employees. The Chief Minister requested continued cooperation from the Centre to ensure the long-term sustainability and full-capacity functioning of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).

Speaking to the media after the meetings, Chandrababu Naidu described the discussions as highly productive and expressed confidence that the Centre would respond positively to Andhra Pradesh’s requests. He emphasized that timely approvals and financial support from the Union Government are essential for the state’s growth trajectory, farmer welfare and water security.