Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada on Tuesday to discuss water sharing and the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project.
CM Vijay said the project could improve water supplies for farming and drinking across southern India. He urged Naidu to help move the plan forward. CM Vijay had also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give the project national importance during his Chennai visit on Sunday.
The proposed plan aims to move Godavari water through the Krishna and Pennar river systems towards the Cauvery basin. The project could help use floodwater that otherwise flows into the sea.
CM Vijay also requested more Krishna river water for Chennai, which relies on supplies from Andhra Pradesh to meet its drinking water needs.
During the meeting, CM Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had already released 4.08 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water to Chennai this year. He added that the state would consider water availability, weather conditions and local needs while meeting Chennai’s requirements.
The two leaders also discussed water security and cooperation between the states. CM Vijay later visited the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple in Vijayawada and offered prayers.
