Pattiseema transformed Krishna Delta, 450 TMC of Godavari water diverted since 2015: AP CM Naidu
Amaravati, July 15 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project has transformed the fortunes of farmers in the Krishna Delta by ensuring timely irrigation and revealed that 450 TMC of Godavari floodwaters have been diverted to the Krishna River through the project since 2015.
Offering Jala Harathi to the Godavari waters at the confluence of the Krishna and Godavari rivers near Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district, Naidu said the ₹1,300-crore Pattiseema project has not only stabilised irrigation in the Krishna Delta but also contributed significantly to the state’s economy.
Addressing a public meeting after paying tributes to eminent irrigation engineer Dr K.L. Rao on his 124th birth anniversary, the Chief Minister said the Telugu Desam Party government completed the Pattiseema project within a year, enabling Godavari waters to reach the Krishna Delta.
He said the project has stabilised irrigation for 13 lakh acres in the delta using 80 TMC of water, despite criticism during its implementation.
Naidu said diversion of Godavari water through the Polavaram Right Main Canal has helped conserve Krishna waters in the Srisailam reservoir for supply to Rayalaseema, reiterating the government’s commitment to providing irrigation to every cultivable acre in the state.
The Chief Minister said the government spent ₹68,000 crore on the irrigation sector between 2014 and 2019 and another ₹24,000 crore over the last two years since returning to power in 2024.
Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Naidu alleged that it neglected irrigation infrastructure by failing to repair damaged gates at the Annamayya Dam, Gundlakamma and Pulichintala projects. He said the present government has installed new gates at the Tungabhadra Dam and recently launched ₹152-crore works to replace gates at the Dowleswaram Barrage.
Reiterating his vision of interlinking rivers from Vamsadhara to Penna, Naidu said a nationwide river-linking programme could transform India’s future by optimally utilising water flowing into the sea for irrigation, drinking water and industrial needs.
He said the state government plans to complete 36 priority irrigation projects over the next three years with an investment of ₹35,000 crore.
Recalling the contributions of Dr K.L. Rao, Naidu said the renowned engineer played a key role in the construction of major irrigation projects, including Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud and Kosi dams, besides serving as a United Nations water expert.
Ministers Nimmala Ramanaidu, Anagani Satya Prasad, Satya Kumar Yadav and MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad attended the programme.
TNT KM
