Naidu Calls for Timely Execution of 36 Irrigation Projects

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to execute 36 irrigation projects on a priority basis and as per schedules fixed in the irrigation calendar.

There, he said, is no shortage of funds to take up land acquisition and civil works for these projects.

The CM held a review on execution of Polavaram and other irrigation projects with the officials at the Secretariat on Monday. He wanted to add 11 more irrigation projects in addition to the already announced 25 projects as per Irrigation Calendar. All these are to be identified as priority projects for their expeditious completion.

He directed the finance officials to ensure no shortage of funds for land acquisition and to take up civil works for these projects.

Meanwhile, the officials informed the current status of execution of Polavaram and other projects. On Polavaram, the officials said that 88 per cent of the civil works were completed while land acquisition was done up to 93 per cent and rehabilitation of the project-affected people was done upto 45 per cent.

They explained that the diaphragm wall was completed by April 2 and sounded confident of completing execution of earth-cum-rock-fill dam gap-1. The gap-2 works would be completed by March 31, 2027.

The works on twin tunnels connecting the Right Main Canal were completed by 85 per cent and works related to approach road to Left Main Canal, head regulator and irrigation tunnel were going on.

With regard to the Handrineeva project phase-1, canals widening works completed up to 92 per cent and the Kuppam-Punganuru canals lining works completed up to 85 per cent

Some 52tmc water had been diverted from the Malyala lift scheme to Rayalaseema area for the first time, they said, and noted that a total of 432 tanks were filled with water to the brim.

An amount of `2,123 crore had been spent for execution of several irrigation projects from June, 2024 till-date, officials said.

In response, the CM said, “I will review the progress in execution of the Polavaram every month. Work on ECRF Gap-1 and 2 should be completed in a stipulated period. Water from Purushottapatnam lift scheme should be released from July. Water from the left canal should be taken to Meghadirgadda and from there to Vamsadhara-Nagavali-Champavathi, he said.

Naidu called for estimation with regard to the cost to be incurred to link Megadrigadda to Chapavathi. He wanted to provide rehabilitation and resettlement to the Polavaram project affected people as per norms and called for completion of their rehabilitation by April, 2027.

He felt the need to develop an Iconic Bridge downside of Polavaram spillway and wanted the area to be the best tourism attraction.

Naidu called for completion of the first phase of the Veligonda project by July and felt the need for arranging `2,019 crore for taking up head works, canals, distributories etc. He said that for execution of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project, the state would hold talks with the central government and so would for the linking of the Godavari-Cauvery rivers.

The CM directed the officials to come up with plans in advance in the wake of the El Niño situation to prepare the farmers to raise crops. He felt the need for change of cultivation practices in Nellore as the district witnessed minus 3 per cent rainfall and the ground water tables reached a depth of 9.49 metres.

He wanted widespread publicity for water security and wanted AP to be in the number one position on micro irrigation and called for giving priority for Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programme

Naidu noted, “We are spending `17,000 crore for agriculture. If the ground water tables are raised, it would help bring down power consumption and reduce the burden on the state government on energy.”

The chief minister turned critical against the YSR Congress government for its alleged failure to make allocation of funds for proper maintenance of irrigation lift schemes during 2014-19. With no allocation of funds, 362 lift schemes failed to function, he said.

The officials informed the CM that after the alliance government assumed power, it had revived the defunct lift schemes and accordingly, 156 lifts were revived completely while 505 were functioning partially.

Naidu wanted the lift schemes to be made functional as nearly 10 lakh acres used to get water for irrigation earlier so that it would benefit the farmers.