Naidu hails Modi’s 25 years of public service as inspiring, transformative

Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of public service at a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (October 8, 2026), Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said Mr. Modi was transforming India into a global power through foresight, clear goals, decisive action and effective governance.

Mr. Modi’s leadership was inspiring and the emphasis laid by him on cooperative federalism resulted in the States being made partners in the journey towards Viksit Bharat, he said.

During the deliberations, Mr. Naidu raised several key issues concerning the development of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) and briefed him on major development projects being implemented in the State.

Mr. Naidu discussed the status of the Polavaram project and explained the benefits of inter-linking of rivers to A.P., Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

He said extensive arrangements were being made for the Godavari Pushkarams to be held in 2027 and sought financial assistance for the same.

Further, Mr. Naidu informed the PM about the severe impact of the 53% deficit rainfall caused by El Niño, on the State’s agricultural sector and the steps taken for mitigation.

He sought the Central government’s support for major infrastructure projects including the proposed Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Amaravati, and approval for Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project.

Aid for ORR

Earlier, Mr. Naidu had an interaction with Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari and asked for support for the construction of the proposed 189-km-long Amaravati ORR, and a Beach Road that would provide better connectivity to coastal cities, tourist spots, seaports, and industrial centres.

Mr. Naidu, earlier in the day, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed various pending issues concerning the State, including the ones brought up during the Southern Zonal Council meeting held at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu in August. The Chief Minister requested Mr. Shah to take the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project forward, and raised some other matters that needed the Central government’s intervention.

Polavaram issues

Mr. Naidu also called on Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, and sought timely release of funds for the Polavaram project, and works taken up under the Jal Jeevan Mission – Amarajeevi Jaladhara (JJM – AJ) scheme at a cost of ₹30,000 crore.

He said Polavaram construction and Rehabilitation & Resettlement works required for impounding water up to the 41.15-metre contour were going on at a fast pace with the objective to complete it by the Godavari Pushkarams coming up next year, and appealed to the Union Minister to resolve some long-pending issues involving Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Further, Mr. Naidu requested the withdrawal of the Stop Work Order issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in connection with the public hearings on the protective embankments to be constructed in Odisha and Chhattisgarh as part of the Polavaram project. He highlighted the plans to develop Polavaram as a major tourism and spiritual destination.

As far as the JJM – AJ works were concerned, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh had around 95 lakh rural households, of which 62 lakh already had tap water connections. The process of providing drinking water connections to another 27 lakh rural households was under way, he added.