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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh to meet Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, with Krishna river water sharing and proposed water projects expected to top the agenda. (Images: X)
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday to discuss key water-related issues with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, according to Secretariat sources. The discussions are expected to focus on the supply of Krishna river water to Chennai, the Telugu Ganga project and concerns surrounding proposed water infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh.
The supply of Krishna river water is an important component of Chennai’s drinking water arrangements. Under the Telugu Ganga project, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have an agreement for the annual supply of 12 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water to Tamil Nadu. As outlined in the agreement, Andhra Pradesh is required to provide 8 TMC of water from the Kandaleru Dam between July and October, followed by another 4 TMC between January and April.
The water supplied through this arrangement helps meet a portion of Chennai’s drinking water demand. However, Tamil Nadu has raised concerns over the shortfall in supplies against the agreed quantity. Vijay is expected to discuss the issue with Naidu during his visit, with the focus likely to be on ensuring that Tamil Nadu receives its stipulated share of water.
Another key issue expected to feature in the discussions is the reported proposal by the Andhra Pradesh government to construct dams across rivers flowing towards Tamil Nadu. The reports have triggered concerns that new water infrastructure could affect the volume of water reaching downstream areas in Tamil Nadu. Vijay is expected to seek clarity from the Andhra Pradesh leadership on the proposed projects and their potential implications for the state's water availability. The outcome of these discussions could be significant for inter-state water coordination and the planning of drinking water resources.
During his scheduled visit to Amaravati, Vijay is expected to meet both Naidu and Pawan Kalyan to discuss the issues affecting Tamil Nadu's water interests. The meetings come amid the continuing importance of inter-state coordination over river water sharing, particularly for urban drinking water needs. The Telugu Ganga arrangement remains a key point of engagement between the two states, making the proposed talks important for addressing supply concerns and maintaining cooperation.
Vijay had also planned to meet Karnataka leaders to discuss the Cauvery river water dispute, including a proposed meeting with Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. However, the planned visit was postponed after opposition emerged in Karnataka, and Vijay subsequently cancelled the trip. Against this backdrop, his proposed visit to Andhra Pradesh brings another major inter-state water issue into focus, with Chennai’s drinking water supply and the implications of proposed river projects expected to be central to the discussions.
The meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for both states to discuss outstanding concerns and explore ways to address water-sharing issues through dialogue.
