AP to Invite Rs 4,500-Cr Tenders for Lift Irrigation Projects

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government will soon invite tenders worth `4,500 crore for the repair and 10-year maintenance of lift irrigation projects across the state, water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said on Friday.

The minister launched restoration works of the Vedadri Kanchala Lift Irrigation Project in the Jaggaiahpeta Assembly constituency of NTR district at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore.

Addressing the gathering, Ramanaidu said the decision had been taken on the directions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to ensure regular maintenance of lift irrigation projects and uninterrupted water supply to an ayacut of 8.2 lakh acres.

He said the restoration of the Vedadri Kanchala Lift Irrigation Project would ensure irrigation to 17,366 acres in the Jaggaiahpeta and Nandigama Assembly constituencies. The works are scheduled for completion before the commencement of the 2027 kharif season.

Criticising the previous YSRC government, the minister alleged that only 166 of the state’s 1,023 lift irrigation projects were functional due to inadequate maintenance. He also alleged that the Vedadri Kanchala project had become defunct during the previous regime and that loans amounting to `18,000 crore had been raised for the irrigation sector.

The allegations against the previous government were made by the minister during his address.