Water ahoy!

■ The canal now stretches 216 kilometers from Malyala to Jeedipalli

■ The Rs. 696 crore Phase-1 canal expansion project has increased the water flow capacity from 2,200 cusecs to 3,850 cusecs

■ The government has also allocated an additional Rs.3,890 crore for the full completion of the HNSS project

■ A new lease of life to lakhs of farmers and residents in Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

As a milestone for Andhra Pradesh's water infrastructure, the Handri-Niva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) Phase-1 canal expansion works have been completed within just 100 days under the new TDP-led coalition government, marking a historic achievement in addressing the drinking and irrigation needs of the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to release water from the expanded canal today at the Malyala Pumping Station in Nandyal district, giving a new lease of life to lakhs of farmers and residents in Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts.

The Rs. 696 crore Phase-1 canal expansion project has increased the water flow capacity from 2,200 cusecs to 3,850 cusecs, enabling the transfer of an additional 1,600 cusecs of water. This expansion will allow the full utilization of 40 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari floodwaters allocated to the HNSS project waters that had previously gone underutilized due to limited canal capacity.

The canal now stretches 216 kilometers from Malyala to Jeedipalli, enhancing water delivery to storage points in Jeedipalli, Krishnagiri, Pattikonda, and Gajuladinne, and recharging local tanks and groundwater tables across the drought-hit zone. Once fully operational, the HNSS project comprising Phase-1 and Phase-2 is expected to irrigate over 6 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 33 lakh people. 

The canal expansion works were originally initiated by the TDP government between 2014–2019, which had sanctioned Rs.4,317 crore and completed 47% of the works. However, progress stagnated during the previous administration. After returning to power in April 2025, the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government swiftly resumed the project, completing the remaining works in just 100 days. The government has also allocated an additional Rs.3,890 crore for the full completion of the HNSS project, including the final stretch under Phase-2.