Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, 2 September firmly ruled out any water scarcity in Visakhapatnam arising from the city's proposed data centres, asserting that the Polavaram Left Main Canal project has the capacity to supply far more water than the facilities would ever require. The remarks came as he inaugurated the Polavaram Left Main Canal works and released Godavari waters into Anakapalli.

The Water Capacity Argument

Naidu stated that the government has the ability to channel up to 500 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the Godavari river to Visakhapatnam via the Polavaram canal. By contrast, all five proposed data centres combined would consume only around 5 TMC — just one per cent of the available supply.

He clarified that the initial release of 2 TMC through the canal following Wednesday's inauguration is merely a starting point. 'It is not the limit,' he said, adding that Andhra Pradesh now has the infrastructure capacity to route 50, 100 or even 500 TMC to the region as demand grows.

YSRCP Accused of 'Fake Narrative'

The Chief Minister directly accused the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of deliberately stoking fears over water availability to undermine public confidence in the data centre projects. He alleged the party was 'indulging in false propaganda' and attempting to claim credit for developmental work carried out by the current administration. Naidu appealed to residents to look past what he described as misinformation and focus on the long-term benefits the Polavaram project delivers.

Irrigation and Drinking Water Benefits

Beyond the data centre debate, the Polavaram Left Canal project carries significant agricultural and civic implications. According to officials, the water released into the Left Canal is planned to irrigate 2.87 lakh acres of farmland and supply drinking water to 9.23 lakh people across East Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Anakapalli districts.

Officials further informed the Chief Minister that 23.44 TMC of water has been earmarked for industrial, drinking, and irrigation needs across Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts. Naidu said that once the full Polavaram project is completed and water flows by gravity, Visakhapatnam will be permanently free of water stress.

Project Costs and Engineering Milestones

Naidu disclosed that ₹4,192 crore has already been spent on constructing the Polavaram Left Canal, with an additional ₹800 crore earmarked to complete the remaining works. Key engineering structures — including siphons on the Yeleru Canal and aqueducts across the Pampa, Tandava, and Varaha rivers — have been completed. A long-standing land dispute at Tallapalem has also been resolved, with rehabilitation provided to displaced families.

Vision for North Andhra

Addressing a public gathering, Naidu described the arrival of Godavari waters in North Andhra as a transformational moment, saying barren lands in the region would now become fertile agricultural fields. He noted that the Godavari reaches the sea through three tributaries — Gautami, Vasishta, and Vainateya — and has now reached Anakapalli through the Left Canal, having traversed the Eastern Ghats, forests, and multiple river crossings.

He also announced an ambitious forward plan: to carry Godavari waters to Simhachalam temple next year and subsequently to Arasavalli and the Vamsadhara river. He welcomed the Godavari waters by performing Jala Harathi at the Payakaraopeta cross regulator. The next phase of the project's completion will be closely watched by both industry investors and farming communities across the region.