Naidu orders comprehensive water plan for Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive water plan for Andhra Pradesh that integrates drinking water, irrigation and industrial needs, and to ensure strict adherence to the State’s irrigation calendar. Chairing a review of the Water Resources Department at his camp office, Mr. Naidu said there should be no compromise on the progress of ongoing irrigation projects.
Plan to cover entire water management chain
Mr. Naidu instructed the department to frame a plan that spans the full water management cycle — from major irrigation projects and lift schemes down to distributary and crop canals. He emphasised that micro-irrigation, hydel power generation and pumped-storage projects must be incorporated so that the State’s water resources strategy addresses both supply and energy-linked components.
Focus on Visakhapatnam’s water security
Highlighting immediate needs in Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister told officials to take up short- and long-term measures on a war footing to ensure reliable drinking and industrial water supplies. He asked them to expedite the delivery of water through the drinking water supply canal from the Polavaram Left Main Canal to the Kanithi Balancing Reservoir and to ensure regular releases from reservoirs to areas under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.
Polavaram project timelines and tourism push
Mr. Naidu noted that ₹35,000 crore is being spent on priority projects listed in the irrigation calendar and directed that works be executed strictly according to schedule. Reviewing rehabilitation and resettlement as well as land acquisition for the Polavaram project, he asked officials to complete all project-related works by March next year and to ensure there are no financial or other impediments.
He also called for a plan to develop Polavaram as a tourism destination, asking departments to explore ways to leverage the project’s infrastructure and water bodies. In line with optimising regional storage, he instructed officials to strive to fill reservoirs in Anakapalli district to the maximum extent possible using water from the Polavaram Left Canal.
Public engagement and conservation drive
Calling for water conservation to become a mass movement, the Chief Minister encouraged the use of social media to raise public awareness about irrigation projects, their benefits and the importance of saving water. He asked officials to take programmes such as Jaladhara–Jalaharathi to the people and to explain the benefits of raising groundwater levels to encourage broader community participation in conservation initiatives.
Officials in attendance
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad and senior officials from the Finance and Water Resources departments attended the review meeting.
Next steps
Departments have been tasked with expediting works tied to the irrigation calendar, fast-tracking arrangements for Visakhapatnam’s water needs and advancing rehabilitation, land acquisition and related activities at Polavaram, with consistent monitoring to keep projects on schedule.
By linking project execution with public engagement and a State-wide resource plan, the government aims to stabilise water supply for households, agriculture and industry, while positioning flagship infrastructure such as Polavaram for broader regional benefits.
