Will Take Water To Last Acre In North Andhra, Says Minister Nimmala
Frustrated over delays in the 88th package despite 90 per cent completion, Ramanaidu criticised the slow progress due to pending land acquisition and compensation.
VISAKHAPATNAM: The NDA alliance government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, will ensure that water reaches every acre in north Andhra by completing all pending irrigation projects, said irrigation minister Nimmala Ramanaidu. He reviewed ongoing works across north Andhra on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Srikakulam alongside agriculture minister K. Atchennaidu, Ramanaidu said officials have been directed to remove sand dunes at the Vamsadhara project’s Neradi side weir to guarantee uninterrupted flow to the Hiramandalam reservoir via the flood flow canal.
He also expressed readiness to resolve lingering issues with neighbouring Odisha.
Frustrated over delays in the 88th package despite 90 per cent completion, Ramanaidu criticised the slow progress due to pending land acquisition and compensation. He instructed officials to serve notices to defaulting agencies and enforce tender rules to speed up work.
The Gotta Lift Irrigation Scheme was highlighted as a key project to transfer 12 TMC of water to Hiramandalam. Of the ₹145 crore allocated, only ₹22 crore worth of work has been completed, largely due to unpaid bills. Immediate tenders worth ₹12.81 crore have now been approved for apron works at the Gotta Barrage.
Officials reported that the Vamsadhara Left Main Canal, with a capacity of 2,480 cusecs, is currently receiving only 1,800 cusecs. The 104-kilometre canal is in urgent need of modernisation. Addressing a shutters-related scandal, minister Atchennaidu directed officials to seize the shutters immediately, pending court approval.
The Regulapadu offshore reservoir project—set to provide irrigation to 108 villages in three constituencies—has achieved 45 per cent completion. Pathapatnam MLA Mangodi Govinda Rao said talks with locals regarding land acquisition are in progress.
Other projects reviewed included the Nagavali–Vamsadhara river linking scheme, described by MLA Kuna Ravikumar as his “dream project.” The plan involves a 33-kilometre high-level canal under the Narayanapuram ayacut to irrigate 5,000 acres.
Etcherla MLA N. Eshwara Rao sought intervention for regular water supply from Sagineeti projects to industrial estates, while Srikakulam MLA Gondu Shankar requested swift completion of the Kalingapatnam and Ambala migrant lift irrigation schemes.