Andhra Pradesh Pumps ₹24,000 Crore into Irrigation Infrastructure

Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Andhra Pradesh's irrigation network, the state government on Wednesday said it is working to ensure assured irrigation for every cultivable acre , with the Polavaram Multipurpose Project slated for completion by March 2027 .

Addressing a public meeting at Ibrahimpatnam in NTR district to mark the 124th birth anniversary of eminent engineer K.L. Rao , Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government has invested ₹24,000 crore in the irrigation sector over the past two years. He noted that irrigation remains a key priority for the state, adding that the previous TDP government (2014–2019) had allocated ₹68,000 crore to water resource projects.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister participated in the 'Jala Harathi' ceremony at the Krishna-Godavari confluence , where special prayers were offered to the rivers. Ministers also released 500 cusecs of water to meet the drinking water requirements of the Krishna West Delta .

Speaking at the event, Naidu underlined the importance of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme , describing it as a crucial project that has helped stabilise irrigation in the Krishna Delta by transferring surplus Godavari water. Commissioned in 2016 , Pattiseema is India's first operational river-linking project and has enabled the diversion of water to the Krishna basin during periods of low inflows. According to the Chief Minister, nearly 450 TMC of water was transferred between 2015 and 2025 at a cost of around ₹1,300 crore , while 80 TMC was used to rejuvenate the Krishna Delta. He said the project has also allowed greater storage of Krishna water in the Srisailam Reservoir , benefiting the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.

The Chief Minister urged farmers to conserve every drop of water , citing concerns over a strong El Niño and unusually delayed inflows into the Godavari River . He said reservoir and tank storage would be prioritised before irrigation releases and advised farmers to cultivate less water-intensive crops wherever possible.

Highlighting the significance of Polavaram , Naidu said the National Project is expected to expand irrigation, provide drinking water to several districts, facilitate inter-basin water transfer, and support hydropower generation upon completion. He claimed the current government has increased the project's progress to 89% , paid ₹2,250 crore towards rehabilitation and resettlement, and remains committed to completing it by March 2027 .

Criticising the previous YSRCP government , Naidu alleged that key irrigation infrastructure was neglected, citing damage to the Annamayya Dam , Gundlakamma , Pulichintala , and the Polavaram diaphragm wall . He also unveiled a broader vision of interlinking rivers from the Vamsadhara to the Penna and announced plans to complete 36 priority irrigation projects across the state over the next three years.