Centre acted as facilitator to bring Revanth, Naidu together to resolve river water issues: Kishan Reddy

Union Minister for Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy has asserted that the Centre has acted only as a ‘facilitator’ to bring the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, A. Revanth Reddy and N. Chandrababu Naidu, together on a common platform to solve their river water issues.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he called out BRS leaders for their criticism and reminded how “KCR himself held a meeting with the then AP CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and talked about utilising 700-800 tmc of ‘surplus’ Godavari water flowing into the sea by AP to provide water to drought prone Rayalaseema region through gravity and two lift schemes.”

“Former Chief Minister KCR did not bother to involve the Centre in the discussion on water issues then when both CMs had a meeting. Now, there is a visible change in attitude of both Telangana and AP Governments on finding a way to resolve the stalemate. There will be progress only if both governments work together with a clear understanding of contentious issues,” he said.

The BJP leader asserted that the Centre was not favouring any particular State and was only interested in finding an amicable and lasting solution, with the formation of a committee of engineers and experts, as agreed by both CMs.

The Union Minister also took objection to the Congress Government questioning his contribution to TG and questioned if it has made any plan for utilising the Godavari river water.

₹200 crore for Kazipet rly factory

Mr. Kishan Reddy added that the ₹521 crore railway manufacturing unit in Kazipet would be making engines, wagons and coaches, and is likely to get another ₹200 crore from the Centre as wagons would likely to be rolled out from next year.

About 70% of the work on the unit has already been completed, and he expects the railway factory would give a fillip to the growth of related ancillary units in the region, generating direct and indirect employment.

Warangal airport

The Warangal airport would become a reality once the State Government completes land acquisition and pointed out that the earlier KCR Government had failed to seize the initiative when in power despite Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia meeting the CM then.

Mr. Kishan Reddy said the Railways has taken up works worth ₹42,209 crore in Telangana, including upgrading 42 stations of which 37 will be ready by June next year.