AP plans to link Godavari river with Krishna and Penna

Rajahmundry (AP), July 26: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that the state government planned to link the Godavari river with Krishna and Penna rivers.

In fact, all the rivers in the state would be inter-linked to make Andhra Pradesh a drought-free state, Naidu said while speaking at the concluding ceremony of 12-day Godavari Mahapushkaram festival here last night.

"We are moving with a vision to make Andhra Pradesh one of the top three states in India by 2022, number one state in the country by 2029 and one of the best states in the world by 2050," he added.

Naidu also thanked yoga guru Ramdev who was the chief guest at the function for announcing that a branch of his Patanjali Yoga and Ayurvedic Centre would be set up in Andhra Pradesh.

Ramdev in his speech congratulated the Chief Minister for success in making arrangements for the festival, also called 'Kumbh Mela of South', during which lakhs of people take dip in the river Godavari.

The Chief Minister also announced 'Akhanda Godavari Project' to transform the town of Rajahmundry (now renamed as Rajamahendravaram) into a tourist centre and a cultural hub with a budget of Rs 100 crore for the first phase.

PTI