Expressing his gratitude towards Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and satisfaction over the signing of the Godavari pact, Telangana Chief Minister KCR vowed to maintain warm bilateral relations with the neighbouring State.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Sahyadri Guest House after inking the deal, Rao termed the deal "historic" as it solved a six-decade long water war between the two States.
He also emphasized the need to shun competition with neighbouring States and instead adopt a cooperative attitude to deal with common aspirations.
Rao took a dig at the successive governments of united Andhra Pradesh for "intentionally" depriving Telangana of irrigation projects for over six decades.
"Though it was at the helm of affairs at the State and the Centre until 2013, the Congress stalled the projects for several decades. The Telugu Desam Party governments were no exception," he alleged.
"With this pact, we can irrigate lakhs of acres of lands by constructing the proposed barrages," he added.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis stated that development would be possible only if the two States cooperated, and said that his government was for bilateral relationships with its neighbours.
"The new barrages will help irrigate the lands of the two States. Also, this pact will strengthen our bilateral bonds," he said.
He praised Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao for playing a pivotal role in this pact.
filed in:Irrigation, Godavari River, Godavari Water Project, KCR, Telangana