‘We Want Water, Not Fights’: AP’s Clear Message to Telangana

Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu made it clear that the state wants water, not political fights. Speaking at a press meet, he said if Telangana can use Godavari water through the Kaleshwaram project, there is nothing wrong if Andhra Pradesh uses water downstream through Polavaram.

He questioned why objections are raised when thousands of TMCs of Godavari water are going waste into the sea every year, saying even a small portion of that water can change the future of drought hit regions.

The minister accused the YSRCP of dragging Telangana related disputes into Andhra Pradesh only for political benefit. He said the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was approved in May 2020, but soon after, a stay was brought, harming the region. He alleged that former Chief Minister YS Jagan neglected Rayalaseema by allocating very little funds to irrigation projects during five years, calling it a historic injustice to the region.

Ramanaidu said the present NDA government has already spent thousands of crores on Rayalaseema projects within a short time and completed works that were ignored earlier. He highlighted the completion of the Handri Neeva project in one year, which could not be finished in five years earlier.

Stressing leadership, he said development and water security in Rayalaseema have always improved during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure, while false narratives cannot hide ground reality anymore.