Big Step: Godavari, Krishna rivers formally linked in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: In an historic step in the mission to inter-link rivers, the Godavari was formally connected with the Krishna in Andhra Pradesh today.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu performed puja and inaugurated a pylon at Ibrahimpatnam near here where the Godavari's water, flowing from the neighbouring West Godavari district, was linked to Krishna.

On the occasion, Naidu said that history was being created as the inter-linking of rivers was thought up by eminent engineer and former Union minister KL Rao several decades ago.

The formal linking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers is termed a boon for the farmers in the Krishna delta (mainly those in the Krishna and Guntur districts), who have been facing acute shortage of water after neighbouring Karnataka allegedly raises the height of the Almatti project.

Almatti dam is a hydroelectric project on Krishna river in north Karnataka which was completed in July, 2005.

In his remarks at the event, Naidu recalled that the previous NDA government, headed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had initiated the scheme for inter-linking rivers even as he rued that the project was "ignored" by the UPA dispensation that had succeeded it.

After attending the formal inter-linking, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister was scheduled to switch on the first pump of the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme in West Godavari.

The Pattiseema scheme is for lifting Godavari waters that now flow into the sea, and diverting it towards Krishna river in the neighbouring Krishna district.

The water, supposed to come to Krishna river, would be diverted to the parched Rayalaseema region.