Conserve Surface Water to Raise Groundwater Levels in AP: Naidu

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu said groundwater levels in the state can improve only when surface water resources are fully conserved.

Addressing a video conference from the state secretariat with irrigation water users’ associations, district collectors, and government officials on Thursday, the CM dwelt on good water management, delivering water to tail-end areas, using water efficiently. Water Resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu joined the meeting from Palakollu.

Chandrababu Naidu said, “Through efficient water management, we have been able to store water in the state’s irrigation projects. Reservoirs and barrages have been filled up to 82.29 per cent of their capacity. We filled reservoirs in Rayalaseema using the Handri-Neeva project. Going forward, we will focus on Velugonda, Uttarandhra (north Andhra), and Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi projects. Just as we retained water to fill reservoirs, we must also fill village tanks.”

The Chief Minister pointed out that large volumes of water from the Krishna and Godavari rivers are flowing into the sea. Some areas are experiencing rains and floods, while others are facing drought-like conditions. In this regard, he said every drop of water must be conserved.”

Chandrababu Naidu instructed water users’ associations to regularly inspect the condition of tanks, canals and check dams in the state and take responsibility for making available water to the entire ayacut. He underlined that canals must be desilted, field channels maintained properly, and ensure that floodwater flows out without any obstruction.

The CM disclosed that the engineering system in the irrigation department will be reorganised. He said the state needs to store 1,000 TMC of surface water and ensure that the groundwater levels rise.

Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that there are 19 lakh borewells in Andhra Pradesh. State government spends ₹8,250 crore on electricity to run them. He pointed out that by using groundwater efficiently, this cost can be cut by 50 per cent. He underlined that during monsoons, groundwater should be available within a depth of 3 metres. Even after the season, groundwater level must not fall below 8 metres anywhere.

“If water is managed efficiently in this way, there will be no drought,” he maintained.

The Chief Minister told water users' associations that their role is not just extracting water; they must take responsibility for conserving water and recharging groundwater. He underlined that groundwater levels need to increase in districts like East Godavari, Eluru and Prakasam.