CM Chandrababu’s Delhi Agenda Includes Metro, River Linking and Drought Relief

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will visit New Delhi for two days from Wednesday and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek the Centre’s approval and support for several key projects, including the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project and the proposed Beach Corridor.

The Delhi visit is expected to focus on a range of issues concerning Andhra Pradesh, including financial assistance, infrastructure development, water management and support for major State projects. The State Government said Naidu will request special financial assistance from Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in view of drought-like conditions attributed to the impact of El Niño. He is expected to seek additional central support for relief measures and other requirements arising from the situation.

Naidu is also scheduled to hold discussions with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The meetings are expected to cover infrastructure, financial support and projects that require coordination with the Centre.

A major issue on the Chief Minister’s agenda will be river interlinking. Naidu is expected to urge Prime Minister Modi to initiate steps towards implementing river-linking projects in Andhra Pradesh. He will also discuss with C.R. Patil measures to utilise the substantial floodwater from the Godavari that currently flows into the sea, besides examining proposed interlinking initiatives.

Naidu will also seek central assistance for the Godavari Pushkarams, which are planned next year on a large scale and are being envisaged along the lines of the Kumbh Mela. The issue is expected to be raised with both Modi and Sitharaman.

Another key subject will be the proposed Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub, with Naidu likely to discuss financial and institutional support from the Union Finance Ministry to take the project forward.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister will participate in a CII Partnership Conference curtain-raiser organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. He is scheduled to return to Amaravati on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Naidu has been invited to attend the Ameen Peer Dargah Urs in Kadapa. Dargah head K.S.S. Arifulla Hussaini met the Chief Minister and handed over the invitation. The Urs will be held from October 24 to 29. Naidu reviewed the arrangements and directed that adequate measures be taken to ensure devotees face no inconvenience during the celebrations.