Pulivendula Water Grid Reaches 96% Completion, Drinking Water Relief In Sight

The long-pending Pulivendula Mega Water Grid is nearing completion, raising hopes of a lasting solution to drinking water shortages in Pulivendula and surrounding areas of YSR Kadapa district. The project has gained fresh momentum following the intervention of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, with works that had remained stalled under the previous government now progressing rapidly.

The project is being taken forward under the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Amarajeevi Jaladhara scheme, with around ₹280 crore being utilised for the remaining works. Originally estimated at ₹480 crore, the scheme is designed to provide drinking water to nearly 5.5 lakh people across seven mandals.

According to officials, progress on the project had been slow during the previous government. After the coalition government assumed office in 2024, Pawan Kalyan reviewed pending Jal Jeevan Mission projects and directed officials to give priority to incomplete works and ensure their timely execution.

A major hurdle was the expiry of the Jal Jeevan Mission's original implementation period around the time the coalition government took charge. This created difficulties in utilising the unspent funds. Following efforts with the Centre, the scheme was extended by another four years, enabling the state to utilise the available funds for the Pulivendula water grid.

The project has now reached 96 per cent completion. Of the planned 1,111 km pipeline network, 1,106 km has been laid. Works have been completed in full in Pulivendula town, the rural area and Simhadripuram mandal, and residents in these areas are already receiving drinking water through the scheme.

In Lingala mandal, work has also progressed substantially. Of the 27 habitations, water supply to 24 is expected to begin shortly.

Several key components of the project have reached advanced stages. The intake well has been restored, while construction of water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 65 million litres per day is nearing completion. Overhead tanks and ground-level reservoirs are also almost ready.

Officials have been instructed to accelerate the remaining works and bring the entire project into operation at the earliest. The government has stressed that providing safe and reliable drinking water, a basic public necessity, should remain above political considerations.

With most of the infrastructure already in place, the completion of the Mega Water Grid is expected to significantly improve drinking water availability for thousands of families across the Pulivendula region.