CM Naidu directs officials to adhere to irrigation calendar for timely project completion

    Amaravati, May 18 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to adhere to the irrigation calendar to ensure the timely completion of projects.
    Naidu had unveiled an irrigation calendar covering 25 irrigation projects during the recent collectors’ conference.
    “Follow the irrigation calendar for the timely completion of projects. Include 11 additional priority irrigation projects in the calendar apart from those already announced,” Naidu said in a press release following a review meeting on irrigation projects.
    Some of the projects and their timelines include the Cotton Barrage Gates foundation works (June 2026), Madduvalasa Phase-II (January 2027), the Polavaram Project (June 2027), Mulapalli Lift Scheme (December 2027), and the Upper Pennar Project (June 2028).
    Cautioning against negligence in implementing the works, the CM also directed finance department officials to ensure adequate funding for land acquisition and civil works.
    Officials informed the CM that 88 per cent of the civil works related to the Polavaram Project had been completed, along with 93 per cent of land acquisition and 45 per cent of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) work.
    They also apprised him that the twin tunnels connecting the Polavaram right canal were 85 per cent complete, while work on the left canal approach channel, head regulator and irrigation tunnel was underway.
    Regarding other projects, officials informed Naidu that 92 per cent of the canal widening work under Handri-Neeva Phase-I had been completed, while 85 per cent of the lining work on the Kuppam–Punganur canals under Phase-II was also complete.
    For the first time, 52 TMC of water has been diverted from the Malyala Lift Scheme to the Rayalaseema region, filling 432 tanks, the release said.
    The CM also called for the completion of Gap-1 and Gap-2 works of the Earth-cum-Rock-Fill (ECRF) dam under the Polavaram Project within the stipulated timeline, and for water to be supplied through the left canal via the Purushothapatam Lift Scheme from July this year.
    Once Polavaram waters reach Meghadrigedda through the left canal, they should be further linked to the Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Champavathi rivers, he said.
    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 rehabilitation and resettlement package is implemented in accordance with the law and that relocation is completed by April 2027 without disputes.
    Additionally, he proposed the construction of an iconic bridge downstream of the Polavaram spillway, envisioning it as a major tourist attraction.
    The CM directed officials to ensure that Phase-I of the Veligonda Project is completed by July, noting that an additional Rs 2,019 crore is required for pending works such as head works, canals, distributaries, land acquisition and R&R packages.
    Officials were also instructed to remove tunnel boring machine (TBM)-related obstacles and complete the works within the stipulated deadline, the release said.
    Naidu reiterated that all projects must proceed according to the irrigation calendar to ensure timely completion and water security for farmers across the state.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)