Sharmila Questions Naidu’s Focus on Banakacherla Project

Quick Summary

• APCC president Y.S. Sharmila criticizes Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for focusing on the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project, despite widespread opposition too it.
• Intellectuals, professors from Rayalaseema, and engineers have raised concerns about the project’s feasibility and it’s enormous cost of over ₹1 lakh crore.
• The Polavaram project Authority reportedly stated that the Banakacherla proposal undermines the core Polavaram project.
• Ms. Sharmila questioned whether Mr. Naidu’s actions are intended to sabotage the original Polavaram project and noted a reduction in its planned height.
• She highlighted that rightful water distribution for Rayalaseema’s share-via Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers-is being neglected.

Photo: APCC president Y.S. Sharmila | Photo Credit: File Photo

Indian Opinion Analysis

The criticism by APCC president Y.S. Sharmila highlights contentious debates around large-scale infrastructure projects like the Polavaram-banakacherla link in Andhra Pradesh. Her claims underline concerns about financial feasibility, ecological impact, and equity in water resource sharing across regions like Rayalaseema. If valid objections from intellectuals, engineers, and regional stakeholders persist without adequate resolution or dialogue, it could escalate tensions between different interest groups within Andhra Pradesh.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s approach raises larger policy questions about balancing developmental aspirations wiht regional equity when allocating public funds exceeding ₹1 lakh crore-a ample investment requiring careful scrutiny on returns versus costs incurred.

More broadly,unresolved disputes over water resource management could have long-term implications not only for local stakeholders but also for interstate relationships involving Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.

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