Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu welcoming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at his camp office in Amaravati on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay discussed the feasibility of a Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project and its potential benefits for farmers in both states.

Vijay, who arrived in Vijayawada this evening, paid darshan at Kanaka Durga Temple, met Naidu at his camp office in Amaravati, and was welcomed by Naidu and AP IT Minister Nara Lokesh.

“The two Chief Ministers, along with officials, discussed several issues and Chandrababu Naidu explained the importance of linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers, describing river interlinking as a permanent solution to drought,” an AP government release said.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister requested Naidu for release of additional drinking water to Chennai through the Telugu Ganga project.

Naidu said that despite reduced Krishna water inflows this year due to El Niño and the resulting severe water scarcity, the Andhra Pradesh government remained committed to meeting Chennai’s drinking water needs.

Andhra Pradesh had already released 4.08 TMC of water to Chennai, and the State Government would consider releasing more based on availability and need, he said.

Naidu and Vijay also participated in the Vijayawada Utsav, an annual festive event organised by the State Government.

At the meeting with Naidu, Vijay stated that Tamil Nadu was a State which is naturally deficient in surface water resources and was dependent on the neighbouring States for more than 30 per cent of its water requirements. The Godavari-Cauvery link project was a significant long-term opportunity for both the States to augment the availability of surface water, said a Tamil Nadu government release.

Vijay said that the scheme would benefit all the Southern States and would support agriculture and strengthen drinking water security. He requested Naidu to take forward the proposal said he had already requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare this project as a project of national importance, the release said.

Release of additional Krishna water to Chennai

During the meeting, Vijay highlighted the importance of Krishna river waters to Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai. He also discussed with Naidu regarding further release. Krishna water supplied through the canal was important for the drinking water security of Chennai and as of today, the total capacity of the five reservoirs in Chennai was only about 35 per cent, the release said.

Published on October 13, 2026