Pawan Kalyan Pushes Faster Execution of ₹2,500-Crore Water Grid Projects

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday directed officials to accelerate work on the Palnadu–Prakasam Mega Water Grid projects, warning that the anticipated El Niño conditions could aggravate water scarcity in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Stressing the need for proactive measures, he said the projects must be completed on schedule to ensure reliable drinking water supply in vulnerable and drought-prone regions.

Reviewing the progress of the projects with officials from the Rural Water Supply (RWS) Department, Pawan Kalyan said the 'Amarajeevi Jaladhara' Mega Water Grid schemes, being implemented under the Jal Jeevan Mission, are critical to strengthening rural drinking water infrastructure. He instructed officials to closely monitor the execution of works and address potential water stress in areas likely to be affected by deficient rainfall.

Officials informed the Deputy Chief Minister that the two mega drinking water projects are being implemented at a combined cost of nearly ₹2,500 crore. The Prakasam Water Grid, with an investment of ₹1,290 crore, is designed to supply safe drinking water to 593 habitations across seven Assembly constituencies. Construction of the intake well has crossed 40% completion, while work is progressing on a 119-million-litre-per-day water treatment plant, sumps and Ground Level Balanced Reservoirs (GLBRs). So far, 53 kilometres of transmission pipeline have been laid under the project.

The Palnadu Water Grid, estimated at ₹1,200 crore, aims to provide piped drinking water to 235 habitations. Officials said 152 kilometres of pipeline network have already been completed, while construction of intake wells, reservoirs and overhead tanks is progressing steadily. Works worth ₹95 crore have been executed so far.

Pawan Kalyan said the two mega water grid projects would offer a long-term solution to the chronic drinking water shortages faced by residents of Palnadu and Prakasam districts. He directed officials to resolve issues related to pipeline alignments between villages, forest clearances and other administrative hurdles without delay so that construction remains on track.

Emphasising that quality should not be compromised at any stage, the Deputy Chief Minister said he would personally inspect the projects after fully recovering from his recent shoulder surgery. He added that on-site reviews would help ensure both the pace and quality of execution meet the government's expectations.

The projects form part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Centre's flagship rural drinking water programme aimed at providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) with an assured supply of safe drinking water. Once completed, the Palnadu and Prakasam water grids are expected to provide reliable drinking water security to more than 1.6 million people across 10 Assembly constituencies, significantly reducing dependence on groundwater and tanker-based water supply in two of Andhra Pradesh's most water-stressed regions.