APCM Naidu directs officials to address Visakhapatnam’s water needs on war footing
Amaravati, Oct 1 (TNT) : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday eveningdirected officials to take measures on a war footing to permanently address the drinking water and industrial water requirements of Visakhapatnam.
Reviewing the functioning of the Water Resources Department at his camp office, the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the continuous supply of water through the drinking water supply canal from the Polavaram Left Main Canal to the Kanithi Balancing Reservoir.
He also directed them to ensure regular water supply from reservoirs to areas under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
Naidu called for a comprehensive water management plan to meet the state’s future requirements, covering drinking water, irrigation and industrial needs.
He directed officials to prepare a detailed roadmap encompassing major irrigation projects, agricultural canals, lift irrigation schemes, micro-irrigation, hydropower and pumped storage projects.
The Chief Minister said Rs 35,000 crore was being spent on priority projects identified under the Irrigation Calendar and instructed officials to complete the works within the stipulated timelines.
Reviewing the rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) and land acquisition works for the Polavaram project, he directed officials to complete all project-related works by March next year.
He also asked senior Finance Department officials to ensure that there were no financial hurdles in completing the works on schedule.
Naidu further instructed officials to utilise water from the Polavaram Left Canal to fill reservoirs in Anakapalli district to their maximum capacity wherever feasible.
Emphasising the need for water conservation, the Chief Minister called for the use of social media to create public awareness about conserving water.
He suggested taking initiatives such as Jaladhara–Jalaharati to people on a large scale and highlighting the benefits of groundwater recharge to encourage public participation in water conservation.
TNT KM
