AP to fast-track irrigation buildout: Key projects by 2026, 290 PPP works planned

Andhra Pradesh is moving towards a deadline-driven irrigation and infrastructure push, with the government setting 2026 targets for key water projects and preparing to roll out a major execution shift through the PPP model for 290 projects from the next financial year. Alongside the irrigation timeline, the state is also positioning the Purvodaya funding window as a development accelerator for Rayalaseema, while linking irrigation delivery to horticulture expansion, cold-chain strengthening, and logistics upgrades . The strategy also includes dispute-free coordination on inter-state water projects and a clear drinking water goal of 100% Jal Jeevan Mission coverage by 2027 .

The most significant announcement from the review was CM Chandrababu Naidu’s firm 2026 deadline for the completion of two important irrigation schemes Veligonda and Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi . Calling these projects vital to improving agricultural productivity and water security, the Chief Minister said the government would adopt the same determination shown in completing key canal works last year. He recalled that widening works on the Handri–Neeva canal were carried out with sustained focus and that the administration had accelerated the pace of construction at Polavaram , describing it as an example of how execution must be driven when timelines are tight. By setting a public deadline, the government has effectively made irrigation delivery a measurable commitment rather than a routine annual announcement.

CM Chandrababu Naidu also underlined the need to unlock fresh momentum for North Andhra’s pending irrigation network, with particular attention on the Vamsadhara project , which has faced prolonged delays. Key components such as canal completion and the Neradi barrage segment have seen execution slowdowns due to coordination challenges and inter-state concerns. The Chief Minister stressed that unfinished links must be completed at the earliest so water can reach the intended command areas and deliver real benefits to farming communities. On inter-state water issues , he instructed officials to engage with both the Centre and neighbouring Telangana to resolve disputes proactively and ensure smooth progress on projects such as Nallamala Sagar . In a notable conciliatory signal , he reiterated that the goal is to utilise floodwater that would otherwise flow wastefully into the sea and indicated that once Nallamala Sagar is completed, there could even be scope to supply water to Telangana if required.

A major “newness” factor in the meeting was the government’s decision to give high priority to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model , with plans to execute 290 projects through PPP in the first phase. CM Chandrababu Naidu directed departments to prepare actionable plans so that implementation begins from the next financial year, marking a strategic shift toward faster execution and diversified funding mechanisms. He also called on officials to make full use of the Centre’s Purvodaya programme , which he described as a significant opportunity for Rayalaseema’s integrated development. Highlighting that the Centre is prepared to support the programme with ₹40,000 crore , he urged departments to submit additional proposals to secure further funding.

In a move that links irrigation planning with farm income and market readiness, the Chief Minister asked officials to scale up the horticulture sector across nine districts, including Prakasam, and enable farmers to cultivate horticultural crops across two lakh hectares this year. He stressed that growth cannot be achieved through crop expansion alone and directed departments to strengthen the supporting ecosystem from irrigation connectivity and road networks to logistics infrastructure and modern cold-chain systems. Alongside irrigation, CM Chandrababu Naidu also set a clear drinking water target, calling for faster works under the Jal Jeevan Mission and directing officials to achieve 100% coverage by 2027 , making rural water supply another time-bound public commitment.