He underscored the need for the officials to get cracking on the two projects as they would help in the all-round development of the state.
Published Aug 07, 2024 | 3:21 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2024 | 1:05 PM
Chandrababu Naidu in the AP Assembly. (Screengrab)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is keen on interlinking the Krishna-Godavari-Penna rivers and Vamsadhara-Nagavali rivers to drive away drought from the state forever .
The chief minister underscored the need for the officials to get cracking on the two projects as they would help in the all-round development of the state.
The chief minister, at a review on the availability of water for irrigation purposes in the state at the state secretariat at Velagapudi near Vijayawada on Tuesday, 6 August, focused attention on ensuring water supply for irrigation purposes.
The chief minister stressed that as Krishna was now in spate, it was the responsibility of the officials to impound as much water as possible in the reservoirs for future use.
“Fill all reservoirs and minor irrigation tanks to the brim. “Do not let water go to waste. I want each and every acre in the state to get water supply,” he said.
The chief minister did not overlook the need to speed up the Polavaram project.
He asked the officials to give the highest priority to the completion of the project. “I want the new diaphragm wall to be constructed by June next year. The damaged diaphragm wall has to be replaced by a new one,” he said.
The chief minister said if necessary he would speak to Delhi and directed the state officials to visit the nation’s capital and hold talks with their counterparts as Polavaram is a national project funded by the central government.
He also wanted the phase I works of the Velugonda-Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme to be taken up immediately.
Naidu said the focus should be on meeting the immediate irrigation needs and planning for the future by evolving micro and macro plans.
To begin with, the chief minister wanted the officials to ensure the availability of enough water for the Krishna delta so that agriculture operations would pick up speed. The officials have to give priority to Krisha Delta over Godavari, for the time being.
He wanted enough water to be impounded in the Pulichintala project and the Yeleru reservoir had to be filled with the help of the Purushottapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The chief minister stressed the need for efforts to recharge the underground water table.
He asked the officials to analyse the rainfall data and come up with a foolproof plan to make enough water available for irrigation and drinking purposes.
“If necessary involve social scientists and irrigation experts in preparing a plan. The immediate need is to clear the drains of water hyacinth for free flow of water,” the chief minister said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
