Naidu in Delhi: Seeks Release of Rs 12,500 Crore Polavaram Fund

Shortly after his arrival in Delhi, Naidu met Jalashakti minister Chandrakanth Raghunath Patil. He explained the status of the Polavaram national project and discussed the ongoing works. Naidu urged Patil to approve the proposals related to construction of the Polavaram project. A special plea was made to the central minister for his nod for the construction of a new diaphragm wall, official sources here said.

Naidu told Patil, “The first phase of the Polavaram project requires Rs 12,500 crores. AP needs approval and release of these funds to speed up the Polavaram works. It would be useful if the promised Polavaram funds of `12,500 crore is released soon.”

The chief minister would meet the prime minister on August 17 and discuss issues like Polavaram and construction of the Amaravati capital. He would also press for the state’s pleas like special packages for backward districts.

Naidu took off for Delhi from Undavalli on Friday. Union Ministers Rammohan Naidu, Srinivasa Varma and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, state minister Nimmala Rama Naidu and others received him at the airport.

Official sources said Naidu would meet finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and home minister Amit Shah on Saturday. “The CM will discuss the need for fulfilment of AP Bifurcation issues, with stress on the pending funds, resolving of long-pending issues of AP and funds for the development of Amaravati as the state capital,” they said.