Chandrababu Naidu Meets Amit Shah, Asks Centre For More Support
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on July 15 to request additional financial assistance for the state, which continues to face a severe fiscal crunch. Naidu thanked the Centre for earlier support but emphasised that Andhra Pradesh still needs more resources for key initiatives.
Polavaram‑Banakacherla Link Project Highlighted
A major focus of Naidu’s appeal was the Polavaram‑Banakacherla interlinking project. He explained that by diverting around 200 TMC of surplus floodwater from the Godavari basin through Banakacherla regulator, the Rayalaseema region—often hit by drought—could be drought‑proofed. He noted that even after meeting the needs of upstream and downstream states, excess water flows for up to 120 days each year, making AP uniquely positioned to utilise it.
Finance Commission Allocation Raised
The CM also noted that Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation-related losses had been brought to the attention of the 16th Finance Commission. He urged that this issue be fairly reflected in the state’s share of central funding. The move seeks to address structural imbalances in the state’s revenue base.
Push For Infrastructure And Industry
In separate meetings, Naidu asked for central backing for metro projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, and for aerospace and defence industries in Rayalaseema. He cited discussions with NITI Aayog’s V.K. Saraswat and Delhi Metro’s MD, urging partnerships to develop urban infrastructure and attract investment to the region.
Recovery From Past Constraints
The CM acknowledged the state’s economic challenges, including rising debt and limited revenue generation capacity. He said that with continued central support, Andhra Pradesh aims to expedite its recovery and return to a growth path, delivering on development and welfare goals.
