Tamil Nadu CM Vijay seeks more Krishna water for Chennai, Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu makes no commitment

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay being greeted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh in Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday sought the release of more water from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai for drinking purposes, while the A.P. government gave no assurance in this regard, citing that it would consider the request depending on the water availability in the Krishna River and requirements of the State.

Mr. Vijay met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s camp office in Vijayawada on Tuesday and discussed inter-State water issues, including the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river linkage and the supply of drinking water to Chennai.

Mr. Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government was sympathetic to Chennai’s drinking water needs, despite a decline in Krishna River water availability due to the El Niño effect this year and the resulting water scarcity.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a meeting at Undavalli near Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He informed Mr. Vijay that Andhra Pradesh had already released 4.08 TMC of water to Chennai.