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Naidu's Mega Water Grid Plan to Link Rivers, Transform Andhra Irrigation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled a comprehensive plan to build a statewide water grid aimed at transforming irrigation and ensuring water security. The plan prioritizes completing the Polavaram Project before 2027 to enable gravity-based diversion of Godavari waters into the Krishna River. It involves diverting surplus Godavari water to drought-prone regions like Rayalaseema and interlinking rivers to channel floodwaters from Srikakulam to arid areas like Anantapur. The government will also expedite several pending irrigation projects to benefit drought-affected districts.

Key Points: Andhra CM Naidu Unveils Statewide Water Grid Plan for Irrigation

  • Complete Polavaram Project by 2027
  • Divert 200 TMC Godavari water to Nagarjuna Sagar
  • Interlink rivers across Andhra Pradesh
  • Expedite pending irrigation projects
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CM Chandrababu unveils mega water grid plan to link rivers across Andhra Pradesh

CM Chandrababu Naidu announces a comprehensive water grid to link rivers, complete Polavaram by 2027, and ensure water security across Andhra Pradesh.

"The integrated water grid will be a game changer, ensuring equitable water distribution and boosting agricultural productivity. - N Chandrababu Naidu"

Amaravathi, April 6

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday unveiled a comprehensive plan to build a statewide water grid aimed at transforming irrigation and ensuring water security across the state.

Speaking at the Jaladhara programme in Anantapur, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to completing the Polavaram Project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu. Once completed, the project will enable gravity-based diversion of Godavari waters into the Krishna River, helping stabilise the Krishna delta and potentially extending the water supply up to Visakhapatnam.

As part of the larger vision, Naidu proposed diverting nearly 200 TMC of Godavari water towards the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut. This water would then be routed through projects like Nallamala Sagar and Veligonda, allowing Srisailam waters to be reserved for Rayalaseema. The move is expected to provide irrigation coverage to every acre in the drought-prone region.

The Chief Minister also outlined a long-term strategy to interlink rivers across Andhra Pradesh, ensuring that surplus floodwaters from Srikakulam reach parched regions like Anantapur. He emphasised the completion of key projects, including Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Champavathi, and noted that approval has been received for a new barrage on the Vamsadhara River.

In addition, he assured that pending irrigation projects such as Varikapudisela in Palnadu, Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme in Eluru, and the Veligonda project will be expedited to benefit drought-affected areas like Prakasam and Markapur.

Naidu said the integrated water grid will be a game changer, ensuring equitable water distribution and boosting agricultural productivity across Andhra Pradesh.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Finally some focus on drought-prone areas like Anantapur and Prakasam. My family is from a village near Markapur, and farmers have been struggling for years. If the Veligonda project is completed, it will change lives. But we've heard big promises before—action is what counts.
R
Rahul R
Ambitious plan, but the cost will be enormous. Where is the funding coming from? And what about the environmental impact of diverting rivers on such a large scale? We need sustainable development, not just mega-projects that look good on paper.
P
Priyanka N
Completing Polavaram before 2027 is crucial. It's the backbone of this entire grid. The gravity-based diversion to Krishna is brilliant engineering. This could truly make AP a water-secure state and a model for others. Good step forward!
A
Aman W
As someone from Srikakulam, glad to see Vamsadhara and Nagavali projects mentioned. Our region gets floods, but the water just flows into the sea. Channeling it to dry areas is a win-win. Hope the local communities are properly consulted and compensated.
K
Karthik V
The plan sounds comprehensive, but execution is key. Past governments have also announced similar grids. We need a non-political, technocratic body to oversee this to ensure it continues beyond election cycles. Water security is too important for politics.

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