Amit Shah Calls for Dialogue on Southern Water Disputes at Mamallapuram Meet

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for the early resolution of inter-state water sharing disputes among southern states through dialogue involving the Union government, speaking at the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council held in Mamallapuram.

Addressing the gathering, Shah urged southern states to adopt a fresh perspective on resolving water sharing issues. He noted that water-related disputes had been successfully addressed across northern India and stressed that a similar approach is needed in the south.

Shah highlighted the vital role that southern states play in the nation's progress, noting that their development is closely tied to water availability. He observed that while protecting state interests is understandable, situations where water simply flows into the sea while states remain deprived for years do not serve any actual interest.

To address the issue long-term, the Home Minister pitched for the interlinking of rivers from the Brahmaputra to the Cauvery and the Godavari, stating that such measures would help ensure India faces no water shortages for the next 100 years.

To facilitate faster resolution of ongoing disputes, Shah suggested holding joint meetings involving the respective state governments, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Inter-State Council.

According to a statement from the Press Information Bureau, the participating southern states agreed with the proposal to resolve pending water disputes expeditiously through mutual dialogue and constructive solutions.