CM Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Launch Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0–Amarajeevi Jaladhara Works in Proddatur Constituency

Proddatur: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan today launched Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0–Amarajeevi Jaladhara works aimed at providing a permanent solution to drinking water problem in rural areas.They unveiled the pylon at Kothapalli in the Proddatur Assembly constituency of Kadapa district, formally launching the ambitious programme to provide tap water to every household and safe drinking water to every family.

With an estimated cost of ₹30,156 crore, the project will provide drinking water facilities to another 27 lakh rural households across the State. The works include construction of 13,075 overhead water tanks, expansion of water supply to 24,601 habitations, and extension of a 77,243-km pipeline network.The project will strengthen drinking water supply to a total of 61.60 lakh tap connections, ultimately benefiting 3.3 crore people. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said of the nearly 95 lakh rural households in the State, around 62 lakh households already have household tap connections. Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the government has set a target of extending drinking water facilities to another 27 lakh households.

The primary objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission is to supply drinking water from sustainable water sources, the Chief Minister said. He alleged that implementation of the scheme had suffered from deficiencies in the past and stated that the previous government had utilised only about ₹2,600 crore for the programme in Andhra Pradesh, despite several other States receiving and utilising substantially higher Central funding.The coalition government is giving equal priority to drinking water and rural infrastructure development, Naidu said.

The Chief Minister said under Palle Panduga 3.0, infrastructure works worth ₹11,085 crore are being taken up, including roads, drains, streetlights and farm ponds. The government plans to spend ₹1.30 lakh crore on rural infrastructure in the coming years, he said.

The government is focusing on integrated water management to meet drinking water, irrigation and industrial requirements, Chandrababu Naidu said. The State has spent ₹24,000 crore on irrigation projects over the past two years, he said.He said the interlinking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers had brought water security to the State and announced that 36 irrigation projects would be taken up over the next three years at an estimated cost of ₹35,000 crore. A project calendar, including specific dates, had already been released, he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers could help address drought concerns in southern India. Even during drought conditions, around 2,000 TMC of water had flowed into the sea, he said, adding that utilising at least 200 TMC of Godavari floodwaters could transform Rayalaseema into a fertile region. Handri-Neeva Phase-I had been completed and reservoirs in Rayalaseema filled, while water had been taken to Nallamala Sagar through Veligonda Phase-I.

The Chief Minister said the government has launched the ₹1 lakh crore Global Horticulture Hub with the objective of transforming the future of Rayalaseema. The initiative would lead to expansion of irrigation projects, roads and marketing facilities, he added.Projects are expected in sectors including space, aerospace, defence, drones, automobiles, electronics, steel, cement, solar, wind, pumped storage, green energy and gold mining.He said Rayalaseema region was now poised for a transformation, with a future where fighter jets manufactured in Rayalaseema could become a symbol of its industrial strength.Fruits grown in Rayalaseema would reach international markets under a distinct Rayalaseema brand, he said.

The government is working towards empowering the poor, increasing household incomes, developing villages and towns, and ensuring a better quality of life, Chandrababu Naidu said.With the objective of providing a house to every eligible family by 2029, construction of 19 lakh houses is being taken up, he said.

Chandrababu Naidu praised Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for his contribution to improving road connectivity in rural areas.He said the government had created a record by conducting Gram Sabhas simultaneously in 13,326 villages. More than ₹4,136 crore had been received through the 15th Finance Commission grants, he said, adding that development had accelerated with farm ponds, village roads and other infrastructure works.

Referring to the political opposition, Naidu said the people had delivered their verdict in the 2024 elections and alleged that the opposition party had failed to provide answers on several issues.He referred to the Vivekananda murder case and alleged that the investigation had brought out details concerning an alleged ₹40 crore contract killing payment. He also alleged large-scale irregularities in the liquor sector and demanded that those responsible answer the allegations.Naidu further alleged irregularities in the conduct and evaluation of Group-I examinations, as well as in sand operations, and challenged the opposition to respond to the allegations.He accused the opposition of resorting to what he described as fake propaganda instead of addressing questions concerning these issues.

The Chief Minister said if the coalition is in power at the Centre, State and local bodies, it would amount to a triple-engine government and appealed to people to bless the coalition candidates.He called upon everyone to participate in the State’s development.

Rayalaseema needs peace, water, industries, good governance and employment, Chandrababu Naidu said, asserting that no conspiracy could stop Rayalaseema Rising.