Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a meeting, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
@nsitharamanoffc

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sought Centre’s support for the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link project. 

Naidu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Friday and submitted a proposal seeking support for the project. The project aims to divert surplus water from the Godavari River to water-scarce areas in south-central Andhra Pradesh. It will use methods of lift irrigation and tunnels to connect the regions in three phases. 

A detailed financing plan has been proposed, building on earlier discussions with the Finance Ministry. The project would benefit millions in drought-hit areas and serve as a model for river-linking across India, the Chief Minister informed the Finance Minister. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected by June 2025.

Naidu also shared copies of the proposal with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, requesting coordination between concerned departments to fast-track the project, according to a release. 

Published on May 23, 2025