Krishna Waters Reaching Kuppam Milestone For Rayalaseema: CM
The moment marks a turning point in efforts towards bringing life and prosperity to the region: Reports
KUPPAM: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the arrival of Krishna waters in Kuppam as a milestone in Rayalaseema’s long struggle against recurring droughts. He said the moment marks a turning point in efforts towards bringing life and prosperity to the region.
To commemorate the occasion, the Chief Minister offered jalaharathi at the Kuppam branch canal on Saturday. Priests recited Vedic hymns as he placed turmeric and vermilion in the flowing waters. Residents across nearly 60 locations in Kuppam performed similar rituals, treating the event as historic.
Addressing a public meeting nearby, he called it one of the most significant days in his political journey. “The joy on the faces of Kuppam farmers is my biggest satisfaction. These waters bring life, hope and prosperity,” the CM said. He recalled the severe droughts of earlier decades, when even cattle were supplied with water brought in trains. Chandrababu Naidu said those memories had strengthened his resolve to change the fortunes of Rayalaseema.
Explaining his government’s water management policy, he said the focus has been on watershed development, building check dams and launching the Handri-Neeva project in 1999. His principle, the CM said, is “running water must be channelled and standing water must be stored.” He assured that all tanks in Rayalaseema will be filled in the coming years to ensure protection against drought. He said that the region will no longer remain barren and reaffirmed his commitment to making it a prosperous region.
Naidu criticised the previous YSRC government for damaging the diaphragm wall at Polavaram and halting progress. He said reconstruction works are underway and linking Polavaram-Banakacharla and Vamsadhara-Penna would provide long-term relief from drought. He urged Telangana leaders to set aside politics and work towards cooperative water sharing.
He accused YSRC of misleading people with staged water releases. “They arranged water from outside only for a show. Unlike them, we are filling tanks with real Krishna water”, he remarked. He contrasted the Telugu Desam Party government’s expenditure of ₹12,500 crore on Rayalaseema irrigation projects between 2014 and 2019 with what he said ₹2,000 crore spent by YSRC from 2019 to 2024.
The Chief Minister inaugurated a pylon marking the completion of the Handri-Neeva canal expansion. Through this project, Krishna water has travelled 738 kilometres from Srisailam. Wager has been lifted for over 700 metres before reaching Kuppam. The public meeting outlined the growth of Kuppam since 1989 in sectors, such as agriculture, industry and water supply.
Local reservoirs, including the Paramasamudram tank, have begun receiving inflows. Chandrababu Naidu took a symbolic boat ride in Paramasamudram.
Officials said 66 tanks in Kuppam constituency, covering about 3,200 acres, have been filled with Krishna water for the first time.
