People rejoices as lifeline flows through parched lands

metro india news  I amaravati

The long-cherished dream of bringing Krishna waters to the parched lands of Rayalaseema has finally been realised under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, fulfilling the vision first set in motion by TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao. For decades, assured irrigation remained an unfulfilled promise for the drought-prone districts of Rayalaseema.

While NTR initiated key irrigation projects to transform the region, it is Chandrababu Naidu who has taken them forward to completion, ensuring water reaches the fields and villages of the region. On July 9, 1999, Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project, envisaged to bring Krishna river water to Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. Years of effort and massive investment have now borne fruit, with Krishna waters flowing into Chittoor district, the tail end of the canal network. Between 2014 and 2019, the Naidu-led government spent ₹4,183 crore to fast-track HNSS works.

While progress slowed during the previous government’s term, the project was revived with renewed urgency after the new coalition government came to power. In a record 100 days, canal expansion and lining works were completed, raising the main canal’s capacity to 3,850 cusecs. Today, water from the project irrigates six lakh acres and supplies drinking water to 33 lakh people.

The expanded canals have already reached 19 constituencies, filling 10 reservoirs, including Krishnagiri and Pattikonda (Kurnool), Jeedipalli and Pennahobilam (Anantapur), Marala, Gollapalli, Cherlopalli (Sri Sathya Sai), and Srinivasapuram and Adavipalli (Annamayya). Water has also reached the historic Gajuladinne reservoir. Last month, water release from Malyala pumping station in Kurnool travelled 738 km through HNSS canals to reach Kuppam. Chief Minister Naidu is set to offer “Jala Harathi” to Krishna waters in Kuppam, a symbolic moment for the people of his constituency.