File photo: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today stressed on the need for inter-linking of rivers in the country for the betterment of agriculture and prevention of natural calamities like floods.
"From Ganga to Cauvery...inter-linking of rivers is vital. The previous NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee constituted a task force to look into the inter-linking of rivers but subsequently nothing happened during the 10-year UPA rule," Mr Chandrababu said.
"Now that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also very keen, inter-linking of rivers can become a reality," he said.
Addressing a meeting to mark the 112th birth anniversary of former Union Water Resources Minister and eminent engineer Dr K L Rao in Hyderabad today, Mr Chandrababu recalled that Mr Rao envisioned inter-linking of rivers decades ago.
"We will be paying the real tribute to K L Rao by realising his dream," he said.
Hailing Mr Rao as a visionary, the Chief Minister said the former designed several irrigation projects for boosting the agricultural sector.
Andhra Pradesh government would henceforth celebrate Mr Rao's birth anniversary as Engineers Day, he announced.
"Dr Rao was a role model who did wonders in the days when technology was not so advanced. Young engineers should draw inspiration from him and fulfil his dreams," he said.
The state government is committed to completing the multi-purpose Polavaram project, he said.
"We will take full care of rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced tribals under the project area," he assured.
Mr Chandrababu said his government's objective was to make Andhra Pradesh "drought-proof" and Polavaram project would be a boon in this regard.
State Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, former minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, MLAs A Gandhi, Maganti Gopinath and others were present on the occasion.