Vijay gets a hero’s welcome in Vijayawada, temple worship and water talks with Chandrababu Naidu grab attention

By Naveen On Oct 15, 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay received an enthusiastic welcome during his maiden visit to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as CM, with crowds gathering to catch a glimpse of the actor-turned-politician as he arrived in Vijayawada. The visit combined the excitement surrounding his public appearance with discussions on key water-sharing issues between the two states.

Vijay’s visit drew attention as supporters and onlookers welcomed the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in the city. His schedule included a visit to the famous Sri Kanaka Durga Temple, a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and participation in the Vijayawada Utsav celebrations near Punnami Ghat.

The visit marked a significant moment in Vijay’s engagement with neighbouring states, as he travelled beyond Tamil Nadu to discuss issues that directly affect the region’s water security. His meeting with Naidu focused primarily on the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project and the need to secure additional Krishna River water for Chennai.

During the discussions, Vijay explained that Tamil Nadu’s limited surface water resources make it dependent on neighbouring states for a substantial share of its water needs. He said the Godavari-Cauvery link could improve water availability, support agriculture and strengthen drinking water supplies across southern India.

Vijay also urged Naidu to help advance the project, pointing out that he had already approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek national-importance status for the proposal.

Chennai’s drinking water situation was another major concern raised by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. He sought additional releases of Krishna River water, noting that the city’s five principal reservoirs were reportedly at around 35 per cent of their capacity.

Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had supplied 4.08 TMC of water to Chennai during the year. He reiterated his government’s willingness to cooperate with Tamil Nadu while balancing the needs of Andhra Pradesh’s own residents.

The meeting was attended by Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna and Water Resources Minister N. Anand, along with Andhra Pradesh ministers Nara Lokesh and Nimmala Rama Naidu.