Andhra Pradesh: Godavari, Krishna Rivers Formally Lnked

16 September, Vijayawada

River Godavari has been formally linked with River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh . State Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu marking the formal linking, Wednesday released waters from Godavari at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry village near Vijayawada.

The linking of the two major rivers in the State will facilitate in utilising about 80 TMC of the 3,000 TMC of the Godavari’s flood waters which goes waste into the sea every year. The delta region of river Krishna faces acute shortage of water for irrigation from June to August.

It was an historical event in Andhra Pradesh as River Godavari waters joined the Krishna River near Ibrahimpatnam upstream of Prakasam Barrage fulfilling the long cherished dreams of the farmers of Krishna and Guntur districts. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a pylon depicting the importance of linking of rivers. To mark the occasion Krishna-Godavari confluence was named as ‘Krishna – Godavari Pavitra Sangamam’ meaning holy confluence in Telugu.

Later Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister performed special puja at the Ferry. Addressing the farmers in the public meeting on the occasion the Chief Minister said his government is committed to recharge ground waters with a slew of water conservation measures to be implemented across the State in a campaign mode.

After interlinking of Godavari-Krishna and the River Penna, the Chief Minister said, Andhra Pradesh will not face any problem even when there is a drought. The State government has plans to divert the waters to the drought prone Rayalaseema region. The Chief Minister was all praise for the engineers and officials for meeting the deadline set by him.

Godavari waters reached Nunna on Monday evening and Mylavaram yesterday night were flowing into River Krishna by today. The place of confluence of the two rivers near Ibrahimpatnam would be developed as a spiritual and tourism centre.