New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday directed Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz to discuss the controversial Babhali project on the Godavari river with the governments of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and facilitate an amicable solution.

The prime minister gave the direction after meeting a delegation led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, an official release said.

Deshmukh appraised him of the project that has been opposed by the neighbouring state.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Rajsekhara Reddy had last month met the prime minister along with an all-party delegation from the state, seeking a stay on the project.

"After hearing representations from both sides, the prime minister has directed the union water resources minister, Saifuddin Soz to discuss the matter with both state governments and facilitate an amicable solution," said the release.

The interstate dispute over the irrigation project turned ugly April 10 when about 40 activists of Andhra Pradesh's opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were injured in baton-charge by the Maharashtra police during a protest rally in Dharmabad near the interstate border.