Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (August 20, 2026) emphasised the need for early resolution of pending water-related issues concerning southern States through joint meetings involving the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Inter-State Council, and the respective States.
Addressing the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at Mamallapuram near Chennai, Mr.
Shah said while protecting the interests of one’s own State was not wrong, if it results in other States being deprived of water for years, no actual interest was being served.
The Minister also called for a drug-free India. The Home Ministry has prepared a three-year road map in which the roles of several departments of the States and the Centre have been defined.
“Until all departments of the Central government and all departments of all State governments join this movement, we will not be able to save the coming generation from this evil,” he said.
He said linking major rivers, from the Brahmaputra to the Cauvery and the Godavari, could ensure India faces no water shortage for the next 100 years. The Home Minister termed south India a very important region for the development of the country, as it has contributed in every sector and plays a major role in information technology, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure development, due to which the region has attracted a large share of foreign direct investment. This initiative could also facilitate the creation of multiple waterways, which would not only save fuel and improve the environment, but also provide a cost-effective transportation system. He stated that a dispute-free North India has been created by resolving river-sharing issues spanning from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh. Regarding issues concerning the division of assets and liabilities between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, both States agreed to resolve them in consultation with the Union Home Ministry. The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers C. Joseph Vijay (Tamil Nadu), N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), D.K. Shivakumar (Karnataka), and V.D. Satheesan (Keralam); Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu; and Lieutenant Governors K. Kailashnathan (Puducherry) and Admiral (retd.) D.K. Joshi (Andaman and Nicobar); and Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel. The region had also established many excellent traditions in the fields of innovation and revenue generation.
The southern States agreed with the Home Minister’s suggestion that the pending water disputes should be resolved expeditiously through mutual dialogue and constructive solutions, according to a release. High literacy rate, trained manpower and “technical expertise in the utilisation of deep seas” were the three pillars that had made south India the biggest contributor to the country’s development, the Minister said. “The whole of India should learn from South India in these two areas,” he said.
