New Delhi, Jan 19 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy met Union Minister of Water Resources Prof. Saifuddin Soz here today, and discussed the Pollavaram Multipurpose Project for which a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting is to be held tomorrow.

Reddy informed Soz that clearances from the environment, forest and wild life, and Tribal Affairs Ministries has been obtained. Soz assured Reddy that his ministry would provide all help and cooperation.

The Pollavaram Project is a multipurpose project providing irrigation to 7.21 lakh acres in the upward areas of West Godavari, Krishna, East Godavari and Vishakhampatnam District alongwith providing industrial and drinking water to these districts.

The Chief Minister also discussed the status of the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanit Project and the Indira Sagar Project under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).

"Preliminary proposal for TAC clearance to the project has been received from Government of Andhra Pradesh in Central Water Commission (CWC). CWC has sought clarifications on some technical issues and inter-state issues from the State Government," said Soz.

The Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanit Project over the River Godavari had been envisaged with an outlay of Rs. 38,500 crores, aiming to irrigate 16.4 lakh acres in the most drought prone areas of Andhra Pradesh.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh wants these projects to be included under AIBP under Centre-State 90:10 funding pattern respectively as these projects cover drought prone in tribal areas. (ANI)