AP CM vows to fight drought with water management

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that Andhra Pradesh can prevent drought through efficient water management, emphasizing the need to increase groundwater levels across the state. He claimed that with proper utilization, the state's groundwater could be boosted by 700 TMC.

Polavaram Project and Infrastructure

Naidu revealed that the Polavaram diaphragm wall, which was damaged during the previous administration, will be completed by December 25. He noted that the damage has forced the state to spend an additional ₹1,000 crores. He also highlighted the successful transfer of 439 TMC of water to the Krishna Delta over the past decade.

The Chief Minister detailed several other water projects:

• Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanti: 75% of this ₹960-crore project is complete. Water will be supplied to Anakapalle by October, and the project has been connected to the Polavaram Right Canal at a cost of ₹1,425 crores.

• Handri-Neeva Project: Naidu said that so far, ₹13,000 crores have been spent to transfer 40 TMC of water to the Rayalaseema region, including the Kuppam and Pulivendula areas. Six reservoirs have been completed on this route.

• Repairs and Upgrades: The government has repaired 33 gates of the Tungabhadra project and is undertaking repairs for the Somasila project. Tenders worth ₹204 crores have also been called for the Srisailam spillway's protection.

Naidu criticized the previous government for a pre-balancing reservoir project in Chittoor district that led to a Supreme Court fine of ₹100 crore, with the government having to pay ₹25 crore for the leaders' mistakes.