AP Charts Action Plan for Balanced Growth Under Purvodaya Scheme
CM orders major irrigation, horticulture and infrastructure works across three regions
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to prepare detailed proposals for holistic development of Andhra Pradesh’s three regions under the Purvodaya scheme.
Chairing a review meeting at the secretariat on the proposed Purvodaya and irrigation projects, the CM said the funds coming under the scheme must be utilised for irrigation, horticulture expansion and the strengthening of rural infrastructure.
As part of the initiative, the state aims to transform 82 clusters across Prakasam district and Rayalaseema into major horticulture hubs, expanding horticulture cultivation across 20 lakh acres.
Naidu asked officials to finalise proposals worth Rs 40,000 crore, including Rs 20,000 crore for irrigation projects and another Rs 20,000 crore for infrastructure works. Of this, Rs 5,000 crore would be earmarked for rural roads, ensuring seamless connectivity with national and state highways.
The CM also stressed the need to complete 23 major and medium irrigation projects and 1,021 tanks in Prakasam district and Rayalaseema to ensure reliable water supply for horticulture crops.
The meeting focused on the Polavaram-Nallamalasagar linkage project, the cost of which is estimated at Rs 58,700 crore. Officials briefed the CM on the project, saying this would enable irrigation to 7 lakh new acres in Nellore and Prakasam districts, stabilise another 6 lakh acres, and provide drinking water to 60 lakh people.
Additionally, 20 tmc ft of water could be allocated for industrial requirements.
The CM called for immediate commencement of the works and approved plans to divert 200 tmc of Godavari floodwaters from Polavaram to Bollapalli and Nallamalasagar, along with 50 tmc of Krishna floodwaters from Nagarjunasagar to Bollapalli.
Calling for accelerated progress of irrigation projects in North Andhra, the CM asked officials to prepare proposals worth Rs 5,000 crore for their completion. Stating that the region was highly suitable for oil palm and other horticulture crops, he called for the promotion of natural and organic farming in the agency districts.
A proposal involving Rs 169 crore to link the Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Champavathi rivers was discussed. Naidu noted that integrating the Hiramandalam reservoir with the Narayanapuram barrage would help bring 5,000 new acres under assured irrigation.
Finance minister P. Keshav, water resources minister Nimmala Rama Naidu and senior officials from various departments attended the review meeting.
