📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Politics
CM Chandrababu Naidu meets PM Modi, pushes for national water grid linking rivers
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 09 Oct 2026, 03:16 AM
👁 17
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advocate a nationwide water‑grid that would interlink Indian rivers, aiming to address chronic water scarcity.
Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the concept of a national water grid. The proposal envisions linking major rivers across the country to facilitate the transfer of water from surplus to deficit regions, thereby mitigating recurring droughts and supporting agricultural needs.
During the talks, Naidu highlighted Andhra Pradesh's experience with inter‑state water projects and urged the central government to formulate a comprehensive framework for river interlinking. He suggested that a coordinated grid could enhance water security, boost farmer incomes, and reduce dependence on groundwater.
The meeting, reported by The Economic Times, did not disclose any immediate policy decisions, but both leaders expressed willingness to explore technical and financial mechanisms for the initiative. The proposal aligns with the government's broader focus on sustainable water management and climate‑resilient infrastructure.
Stakeholders, including state water authorities and central ministries, are expected to convene in the coming weeks to assess feasibility, environmental impact, and funding models for the national water grid.
If approved, the scheme could become one of the largest water‑resource projects in India's history, potentially reshaping the country's agricultural landscape and regional water distribution.
During the talks, Naidu highlighted Andhra Pradesh's experience with inter‑state water projects and urged the central government to formulate a comprehensive framework for river interlinking. He suggested that a coordinated grid could enhance water security, boost farmer incomes, and reduce dependence on groundwater.
The meeting, reported by The Economic Times, did not disclose any immediate policy decisions, but both leaders expressed willingness to explore technical and financial mechanisms for the initiative. The proposal aligns with the government's broader focus on sustainable water management and climate‑resilient infrastructure.
Stakeholders, including state water authorities and central ministries, are expected to convene in the coming weeks to assess feasibility, environmental impact, and funding models for the national water grid.
If approved, the scheme could become one of the largest water‑resource projects in India's history, potentially reshaping the country's agricultural landscape and regional water distribution.