AP CM Chandrababu Calls for Rain Preparedness, Sets 2028 Deadline for 36 Projects

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain alert to the possibility of heavy rainfall due to a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal. He called for a comprehensive action plan to manage floods, conserve rainwater and strengthen disaster preparedness.

In a statement issued on Friday night, Naidu asked officials to capture and store rainwater in reservoirs and tanks across Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. He stressed that efficient water conservation and the promotion of natural farming would help protect agricultural production even in areas receiving below-normal rainfall.

The Chief Minister directed the Water Resources Department to resume work on the Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme from November and ensure that 36 priority projects are completed by December 2028.

He reiterated the government's goal of providing tap water to every household and irrigation water to every acre. Strengthening canal networks, expanding storage capacity, modernising delta irrigation systems and undertaking desilting works were among the measures proposed to ensure adequate water reaches tail-end agricultural lands. He also asked officials to explore solar power generation through panels installed over canals and ways to increase departmental revenue through the Jalaharathi Corporation.

Naidu said technical standards must not be compromised in the construction of the Polavaram project. Officials were instructed to follow standard operating procedures, consult leading experts and continuously monitor construction.

Officials reported that 90.2 per cent of the civil works had been completed, with work on Gap-1 and Gap-2 of the main dam progressing rapidly. Expert committees had expressed satisfaction with the progress during their inspections. The Chief Minister directed officials to complete the right and left main canals by March 2027, increase their carrying capacity and finish the bridge at the project site to improve connectivity and promote tourism.

Naidu called for an action plan to link the Godavari and Pennar rivers and examine the feasibility of transferring Godavari water to the Cauvery basin. He also ordered feasibility studies for barrages at Vaikuntapuram, upstream of Prakasam Barrage, and Chodavaram downstream, with a combined storage capacity of 14 TMC. Officials were asked to explore an inland waterway from Bhadrachalam to Visakhapatnam via Rajamahendravaram and Vijayawada.

The second phase of Jaladhara–Jalaharathi will be extended until March 31, 2027, with 150 days of implementation. The works will be linked to the VB-G RAM G employment guarantee scheme, while the third phase will begin on April 1, 2027. Naidu urged all departments to coordinate efforts to maintain canals and reservoirs and ensure sufficient drinking and irrigation water for the state.