AP CM Directs Officials to Strictly Follow Irrigation Calendar for Timely Completion of Projects
Amaravati, May 18 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to strictly implement the Irrigation Calendar to ensure timely completion of irrigation projects and provide water security to farmers across Andhra Pradesh.
Reviewing irrigation projects at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed officials to include 11 additional priority irrigation projects along with the 25 high-priority projects already announced during the recent Collectors’ Conference.
He directed officials to treat all 36 projects as priority works and execute them according to the timelines fixed under the Irrigation Calendar.
The Chief Minister also instructed Finance Department officials to ensure adequate funds for land acquisition and civil works.
During the review, officials informed the Chief Minister that 88% of civil works of the Polavaram Project have been completed, while 93% of land acquisition and 45% of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) relocation works have been completed.
Officials said the twin tunnels connecting the Polavaram Right Canal are 85% complete and works on the left canal approach channel, head regulator and irrigation tunnel are progressing.
Reviewing other projects, officials informed the Chief Minister that under the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Phase-I project, 92% canal widening works have been completed, while 85% lining works under the Kuppam–Punganur canal component of Phase-II have been completed.
Officials further stated that for the first time, 52 TMC of water was diverted through the Malyala Lift Scheme to Rayalaseema, filling 432 tanks completely.
Since June 2024, expenditure of ₹2,123 crore has been incurred on the project works.
The Chief Minister directed officials to complete ECRF Dam Gap-1 and Gap-2 works within the stipulated timeframe and ensure water supply through the left canal via the Purushothapatnam Lift Scheme from July this year.
He instructed officials to explore linking Meghadrigedda with the Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Champavathi river systems after Polavaram waters reach Meghadrigedda through the left canal.
He also called for a study on the cost of the Meghadrigedda–Champavathi link project.
Naidu directed officials to ensure that compensation to displaced families under the Polavaram R&R package is implemented strictly as per law and that relocation works are completed by April 2027 without disputes.
He also proposed construction of an iconic bridge downstream of the Polavaram spillway, envisioning it as a major tourism attraction.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to complete Phase-I of the Veligonda Project by July.
Officials informed him that an additional ₹2,019 crore would be required for pending works including head works, canals, distributaries, land acquisition and rehabilitation packages.
Naidu directed officials to remove obstacles related to tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and ensure completion of the works within the prescribed deadline.
TNT KM
