Lanka Dinakar said that by interconnecting the Godavari, Krishna, and Penna rivers, the project will supply 53.85 TMC (42.85 TMC usable) of water storage capacity through Velugonda

Metro India News | amaravati

Lanka Dinakar, Chairman of the 20-point program implementation committee, extended New Year greetings to everyone and lauded the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for announcing a “sweet gift” ahead of the new year to the state by unveiling the long-awaited River Interlinking Project ‘Telugu Talliki Jalaharathi’.

Dinakar recalled that between 2019 and 2024, despite multiple appeals to the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, progress on river interlinking had been delayed due to the inefficiencies of the previous state administration.

The then-state government, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Telangana’s Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had squandered precious time with “political theatrics” over the allocation of the Godavari river waters, Dinakar alleged.

However, with the return of the NDA “double-engine government,” the interlinking of rivers has been brought to the forefront as a national policy. Dinakar emphasized that reservoirs are central to this initiative, ensuring no household is left without drinking water and no acre is left fallow due to a lack of irrigation.

With the cooperation of the central and state governments, the goal is to permanently transform Andhra Pradesh into a drought-free state.

Lanka Dinakar said that by interconnecting the Godavari, Krishna, and Penna rivers, the project will supply 53.85 TMC (42.85 TMC usable) of water storage capacity through Velugonda. “This reservoir, envisaged as one of the largest in the state, will ensure a consistent water supply.

It will benefit drought-prone areas, including Bollapalli in Prakasam district, Badvel in Kadapa district, and Udayagiri-Atmakur in Nellore district.”

At present, Veligonda depends on the water levels at the Srisailam Dam, which need to reach 267 meters for gravity-based water flow. However, during years of inadequate inflow into Krishna River, water availability becomes uncertain. “The interlinking project aims to resolve this dependency by ensuring a continuous water supply,” he said.

The river interlinking project will provide drinking water to 2.3 million people, support irrigation for 450,000 acres, supply water for industrial use, and ensure safe drinking water for fluoride-affected areas in Prakasam district.

Dinakar stated that the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) includes comprehensive plans for irrigation canals, strategic storage reservoirs, and water recharge wells in surrounding villages and towns.

Dinakar expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the central and state governments would ensure the project's success, leaving an indelible mark on the people’s hearts. He urged for public support to make this transformative vision a reality.