‘Jaladhara’ action plan for optimal water

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive “Jaladhara Action Plan” to ensure optimal water security and utilisation once the Polavaram project is completed. Chairing a high-level review meeting with Water Resources Department officials at the camp office, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for advance planning to efficiently distribute Godavari waters through the right and left canals.

Naidu instructed officials to design a clear roadmap linking canals to reservoirs and tanks to maximise irrigation and drinking water benefits. The review covered the progress of key irrigation projects including Polavaram, Veligonda, Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi, Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link, Chintalapudi lift scheme, and several North Andhra projects.

He stressed expediting works on projects such as Tarakarama, Mahendra Tanaya, Thotapalli Barrage, Maddulavalasa, Janjavathi, and Hiramandalam lift schemes. Timelines were also fixed for interlinking rivers, with Vamsadhara–Nagavali linkage to be completed by December and Nagavali–Champavathi by July. With hurdles cleared for the Neradi Barrage across the Vamsadhara river, the Chief Minister directed officials to call for tenders at the earliest.

Naidu also proposed developing the Polavaram project as a major tourism destination, with facilities such as hotels, shopping areas, and themed attractions. He suggested planning boat services connecting Polavaram, Papikondalu, and Bhadrachalam, integrating water, rock, forest, and adventure tourism elements by the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu.

Progress updates indicated that key components such as tunnels, approach channels, and embankments are nearing completion, with overall civil and rehabilitation works advancing steadily. The Chief Minister also reviewed rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) efforts, directing timely completion of colonies and relocation of affected families.

Naidu set a strict deadline of June-end for completing Veligonda Stage-1 works, which are progressing across multiple components including tunnels, canal lining, and regulator structures. He also reviewed Handri-Neeva works, noting significant progress in canal expansion and linking projects aimed at benefiting Rayalaseema.

Officials reported an increase in groundwater availability, with 625 TMC recorded as of April 1, an improvement over last year. Under the Jaladhara–Jala Harathi 100-day action plan, thousands of villages have been identified for water conservation works.

The Chief Minister also flagged the need to revive lift irrigation systems, noting that many had become defunct due to poor maintenance in the past. He directed that tenders be floated soon for third-party maintenance of functional schemes to ensure long-term sustainability.