CM tells officials to focus on completion of irrigation projects

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to focus on the completion of various irrigation projects by the end of 2026 as per the timelines given to them.

Due priority must be accorded to widening of the Handri-Neeva canals and Veligonda, Uttarandhra, and Nallamala Sagar projects, he advised. 

Addressing a review meeting with Ministers and of various senior officials Saturday (January 18, 2026) night, ahead of his departure to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum beginning on January 19, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said, “emphasis has to be laid on boosting the horticulture sector in Rayalaseema, implementation of the Purvodaya scheme, for which the Central Government was giving ₹40,000 crore. 

Also, he ordered that the funds provided by the Centre under the Jal Jeevan Mission and SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment — Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale) scheme be fully utilised.

Under the Purvodaya scheme, efforts should be made to develop Prakasam and the nine districts in Rayalaseema. He stated that the Centre sanctioned the Kaleshwaram project in Telangana with the intention that both the Telugu States should utilise the surplus waters that otherwise flow waste into the sea.

The CM told the officials that large-scale projects should be taken up under the PPP model, initiating 290 projects in the first phase. The meeting was attended by Ministers Payyavula Keshav, K. Atchannaidu and Nimmala Rama Naidu, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand and others.