AP CM concludes Polavaram discussions with Chhattisgarh CM

Hyderabad, Sept 23: Terming his day-long trip to Chhattisgarh as a "goodwill mission", Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed hope on Sept 22 that the neighbouring state would pave the way for construction of the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari.

"Polavaram is a very important project and the Andhra Pradesh government has already spent Rs 6,000 crore on it. Hence we requested the Chhattisgarh government to co-operate (with AP) in constructing it. We have allayed their apprehensions about submergence of villages on their side and assured that the best rehabilitation and resettlement package will be given," Chandrababu told reporters after returning to Hyderabad late tonight.

He recalled that the then states of (undivided) Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, along with Orissa, had signed two agreements in 1978 and 1980 about the Polavaram project on Godavari river by constructing a protective embankment along areas facing likely to be submerged.

"I have explained to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh about the agreements and also that Polavaram has now been declared a national project. In fact, the Central Water Commission, Planning Commission, forest and environmental clearances were given to Polavaram based on the 1978 and 1980 agreements between the three states. The national project status was also conferred, based on the same agreements," Naidu said.

"Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said a case is pending in the Supreme Court against Polavaram, but since it's a very crucial project and all clearances have been granted, I requested his government not to object and to co-operate in completing the project. I also told him that a liberal rehabilitation package will be offered," the AP Chief Minister said.
"Better economic package and employment-oriented training for villagers, inclusion of eco-friendly and water conservation-related features and other important development activities have been included in the Naya Raipur Project," he said.

Naidu also hailed Singh for computerisation of Public Distribution System (PDS) and e-governance. When asked about its ally BJP's poor performance in recent by-elections, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said that local factors played a role.

"One cannot assess the performance of government based on it (outcome of bypolls). Narendra Modi-led NDA government is doing good work and it will be very early to assess the work of a government in a hundred days," he said. Singh also assured of enhancing connectivity with the neighbouring state.

PTI