Water Security Action Plan on Anvil

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to prepare a comprehensive “Jaladhara Action Plan” to ensure optimal utilisation of the Godavari waters, once the Polavaram Project is completed.

The plan, he said, must clearly define how water would be diverted through the right and left main canals and allocated for irrigation, drinking and industrial needs.

Reviewing the progress of major irrigation projects with senior water resources officials on Wednesday, Naidu said reservoirs and tanks linked to the canal networks must be filled efficiently through a scientific and time-bound strategy. He also reviewed the status of important projects, including the Veligonda, the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi, the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link, the Chintalapudi lift irrigation scheme, the Varikapudisila and several north Andhra irrigation works.

Calling for expedited execution, Naidu instructed the officials to accelerate works on projects such as Tarakarama, Mahendra Tanaya, Thotapalli Barrage, Maddulavalasa, Janjhavathi and Hiramandalam lifts. He set deadlines for the completion of interlinking projects, directing that the Vamsadhara–Nagavali link be completed by December and the Nagavali–Champavathi link, by July.

With hurdles cleared, he asked officials to immediately invite tenders for the long-pending Neradi Barrage.

The Chief Minister proposed developing the Polavaram project into a major tourism destination, complete with hotels and shopping facilities. He reviewed the design plans for beautification of the surrounding areas and suggested introducing boating services from Polavaram to Papikondalu and Bhadrachalam.

Tourism themes such as water, rock, forest and sports should be integrated to attract visitors, he said.

Naidu wanted a speeding up of the works to enable inauguration of the project by the time of the next Godavari Pushkarams.

Officials informed the CM that major components such as irrigation tunnel excavation have been completed, while lining works have reached by 76 per cent. Approach channel earthwork was 98 per cent complete, and head regulator concrete works by 71 per cent.

The overall project expenditure so far stands at `27,089 crore, with an additional 5,108 crore required for the civil and rehabilitation works.

On rehabilitation and resettlement, officials said 26 out of 95 colonies have been completed. Of the 38,060 displaced families, 16,763 have been shifted so far, with targets set to complete the process in phases by March 2027.

The chief minister set a deadline of June-end for completion of the Stage-1 works of the Veligonda project. Substantial progress has been recorded in tunnel works, feeder canal construction and head regulator components, officials said, adding that the project would cost `2,042 crore.

Significant strides have also been made under the Handri Neeva scheme, with the Phase-1 canal expansion nearing completion and Phase-2 linking works progressing steadily. Hundreds of minor irrigation tanks have been filled, boosting water availability in drought-prone Rayalaseema.

The ambitious Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project, aimed at diverting 200tmc of floodwater, is estimated to cost `58,700 crore. Officials indicated that approvals from the Central Water Commission are expected by October 31. Environmental and forest clearances are likely by September-end.

The Chintalapudi lift irrigation project, estimated at `8,075 crore, has received environmental clearance, and tenders for its main canal works will be invited soon. Meanwhile, the Varikapudisila scheme is expected to irrigate 84,500 acres at a cost of Rs 3,278 crore.

The review noted a positive trend in groundwater recharge across the state. As of April 1, groundwater availability stood at 625tmc, an increase of 12tmc compared to last year. Water levels improved by 0.79 metres overall, with significant gains recorded in both coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

Under the Jaladhara–Jalaharathi 100-day action plan, works have been identified in 13,138 villages, with implementation plans ready for 2,664 villages.

Naidu also directed officials to invite tenders for the maintenance of lift irrigation schemes, noting that many had become defunct due to neglect in previous years.

Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, chief secretary Sai Prasad and senior officials attended the review meeting.