CM Naidu Unveils Rs 35,000-Crore Irrigation Roadmap, Sets Timeline for 36 Priority Projects
Recalling criticism faced during Pattiseema's construction, Naidu said the project proved that surplus floodwaters should be harnessed instead of flowing waste into the sea. "Farmers in the Krishna delta are producing gold with Pattiseema waters."
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday announced that the state government would complete 36 priority irrigation projects over the next three years at an estimated cost of Rs 35,000 crore, describing irrigation as the cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh's agricultural prosperity.
Addressing a public meeting after offering Jala Harathi to the Godavari waters at the sacred Krishna-Godavari confluence near Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district, marking eminent engineer Dr KL Rao's 124th birth anniversary, Naidu said the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme had transformed the Krishna delta and safeguarded the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers.
Regarding priority irrigation projects, Naidu explained that key milestones included the inauguration of the Polavaram Left Main Canal on August 14, 2026, dedication of Veligonda Project Phase-I on September 1, 2026, and phased completion of reservoirs, lift irrigation schemes, canal modernisation works and river-linking projects through 2028.
The Chief Minister said 450 tmc-ft of Godavari floodwaters had been diverted to the Krishna basin through Pattiseema since 2015. Built at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore, the project stabilised irrigation in 13 lakh acres of the Krishna delta with just 80 tmc-ft of water and enabled the state to conserve Krishna waters in the Srisailam reservoir for drought-prone Rayalaseema.
Recalling criticism faced during Pattiseema's construction, Naidu said the project proved that surplus floodwaters should be harnessed instead of flowing waste into the sea. "Farmers in the Krishna delta are producing gold with Pattiseema waters," he remarked.
Launching a sharp attack on the previous YSRC government, the chief minister accused it of neglecting critical irrigation infrastructure, alleging that it failed to maintain dams and barrages, ignored repairs after the Annamayya dam breach and damage to Pulichintala and Gundlakamma projects, and allowed the Polavaram diaphragm wall to deteriorate. Such negligence towards nationally important irrigation projects amounted to "betrayal of both the nation and the state," he said.
Naidu said his government spent Rs 68,000 crore on irrigation between 2014 and 2019 and another Rs 24,000 crore during the last two years after returning to power. Polavaram, he said, has reached 89 per cent completion, compared to minimal progress during 2019-24.
The Chief Minister reiterated his vision of linking rivers from Vamsadhara to Penna, comparing it to India's Golden Quadrilateral highway network. Effective river interlinking, he said, would ensure optimal use of floodwaters for irrigation, drinking water and industry while creating long-term wealth.
Naidu highlighted several milestones in the irrigation calendar, including the commissioning of new gates at Tungabhadra, ongoing gate replacement at the Dowleswaram (Cotton) Barrage, foundation for Guntur Channel modernisation this month, and completion of Polavaram, HNSS Phase-II, Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme, Godavari Delta modernisation and several reservoirs and lift schemes by 2028.
Paying tribute to Dr KL Rao, Naidu recalled the legendary engineer's contribution to major projects including Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud and Kosi dams, besides his service as a Union minister and international water expert. He said Rao's vision continued to inspire Andhra Pradesh's irrigation strategy.
Ministers Nimmala Ramanaidu, Anagani Satya Prasad, Satyakumar Yadav and local MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad were among those present.
