Tamil Nadu CM seeks increased Krishna water allocation from Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin raised the issue of water allocation during talks with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, seeking to secure increased Krishna river water supplies for Chennai and other parts of the state. The water demand comes as Tamil Nadu faces periodic shortages affecting its capital city and surrounding regions.

Naidu, while acknowledging the request, indicated that Andhra Pradesh would evaluate the proposal based on its own water availability and domestic requirements. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister made no binding commitment, instead suggesting that any decision would depend on the state's capacity to spare water from Krishna river allocations.

During their discussions, the two leaders also explored the long-pending proposal for a Godavari-Cauvery river linkage, which has been mooted as a potential solution to address water scarcity issues in both states. The river linkage project, if implemented, could facilitate water transfer between the two river basins and help balance water distribution across the southern region.

The meeting reflects ongoing interstate negotiations over shared water resources, a persistent challenge in South India where multiple states compete for allocations from major river systems. Both states have historically grappled with managing water demands during drought periods, making inter-state cooperation crucial for regional water security.