Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu prioritises Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi, Srisailam Dam protection works

Chairing a review meeting with the Water Resources Department on Thursday (September 11, 2025), he said these projects were vital for safeguarding Andhra Pradesh’s long-term water security.

Mr. Naidu announced a special allocation of ₹2,000 crore for the Uttarandhra project, ₹1,000 crore this year and another ₹1,000 crore next year. Once completed, he said, the Polavaram Left Main Canal and Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi would jointly supply water to Visakhapatnam, supported by pumping systems. “Interlinking of the Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Champavathi rivers, along with filling all reservoirs in North Andhra, including Yeluru, will create a robust water network providing a permanent solution to the region’s irrigation and drinking water challenges,” he said.

Referring to the Srisailam dam, the Chief Minister underscored the urgency of protection and escape channel works worth ₹1,686 crore, instructing officials to complete them without delay. He also directed fast-tracking of GNSS works up to Kadapa by finishing 108 km, and called for re-tendering stalled works on a war footing.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of major projects, including Pula Subbaiah Veligonda, Boddepalli Rajagopala Rao Vamsadhara, Sardar Gouthu Latchanna Thotapalli Barrage, Tarakarama Teertha Sagar, and Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi. On the Varikapudisela project, he asked officials to finish Phase 1 (excluding headworks) to irrigate 24,900 acres, while securing clearances for Phase 2 by January. Both phases together, costing ₹1,925 crore, will benefit 84,281 acres.

Officials informed that State reservoirs, with a total capacity of 1,313 TMCs, currently hold 1,031 TMCs or 79% of storage. While major reservoirs are at 89% capacity, medium projects stand at 57% and minor projects at 39%. Mr. Naidu asked officials to resolve issues with Somasila, Kandaleru, and Brahmasagar to ensure full utilisation.

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Groundwater levels have improved by 1.25 metres over last year, averaging 8.43 metres. To strengthen monitoring, the CM ordered the installation of new sensors within three months and directed farm ponds and check dams in 7,762 villages where groundwater is below 8 metres.

Out of 38,457 tanks Statewide, 32,642 remain to be filled. In the HNSS command area, 51 out of 497 tanks have been filled, irrigating 89,117 acres. Mr. Naidu also stressed speedy execution of priority projects worth ₹6,518 crore, which will benefit 2.8 lakh acres.

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu and senior officials were present at the review.