Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: ₹30,156 crore to provide drinking water to 90 lakh Andhra Pradesh homes in two years, says Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced a ₹30,156-crore outlay over the next two years under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, branded in the State as “Amarajeevi Jaladhara,” to deliver drinking water to 90 lakh households. He launched the initiative at Proddatur in Kadapa district alongside Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, positioning it as a centrepiece of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s development push in the State.

Launch and scope of the programme

Unveiling “Amarajeevi Jaladhara” on October 5, 2026, Mr. Naidu said the scheme would prioritise household access to safe drinking water across Andhra Pradesh. He underlined the administration’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and public services with support from the Union government, asserting that the coalition had laid a “strong foundation” for a funds-starved State to recover and accelerate growth.

Wave of recent initiatives

The Chief Minister said nine major schemes had been rolled out in the last week as part of a broad-based development drive. Among them, he highlighted:

• Palle Panduga 3.0, an initiative to upgrade rural roads and drainage networks with a planned spend of ₹11,085 crore.

• Distribution of house site pattas valued at ₹52,000 crore.

• The ₹1-lakh-crore “Global Horticulture Hub – Rayalaseema Rising” project, aimed at spurring horticulture-led growth in the region.

• Construction of 19 lakh houses across the State.

• The “Amarajeevi Jaladhara” drinking water programme under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

Appeal for long-term commitment

Reiterating his focus on development, Mr. Naidu recalled his government’s earlier campaign against Naxalism, referring to the 2003 claymore mine attack in Tirupati that he survived. He urged citizens to “work tirelessly for the next 20 years” to help Andhra Pradesh lead India’s growth trajectory and enable the country to “dictate terms to the world.”

Non-partisan development, says Pawan Kalyan

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan said the NDA government was “determined to take development to people, irrespective of their political preferences.” Citing projects in the Paderu and Araku parliamentary constituencies—both represented by members of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)—he argued that the administration’s decisions were not driven by electoral calculations.

“We also do not believe in witch hunting or political vendetta. In spite of being at the receiving end of attacks in the past, we never intended to retaliate,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.

Naidu targets YSRCP, alleges role in key scandals

Sharing the stage at Proddatur, Mr. Naidu mounted a sharp attack on YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, challenging him “to face [him] with facts” on a range of controversies. Without naming the party directly, he referred to the YSRCP as the “Axe party” (Goddala Party) and called Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy the “ultimate beneficiary” in several cases.

Mr. Naidu alleged that ₹40 crore was paid as “supari” in the murder of Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s uncle, former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. He further claimed that “several crores of rupees” were siphoned off in liquor and sand scams, and that “attenders and electricians were employed to correct the answer sheets” in the Group I recruitment examinations conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).

“All the accusing fingers are pointing towards one person, who is the ultimate beneficiary,” he said. He accused the YSRCP of spreading “fake narratives” and distorting facts to discredit the current government, and alleged that the previous administration had a role in the forced conversion of Hindus to Christianity. The statements represent Mr. Naidu’s allegations; the YSRCP’s response was not immediately available at the event.

Significance and next steps

The “Amarajeevi Jaladhara” announcement underscores the administration’s emphasis on essential services and rural infrastructure, with a significant portion of the recent policy slate focused on basic amenities, housing and agricultural value chains. While specific district-wise rollout plans were not detailed during the launch, the Chief Minister framed the two-year drinking water programme as a cornerstone of the government’s agenda, supported by parallel initiatives in housing, roads, and horticulture.

Conclusion

With a ₹30,156-crore commitment to expand drinking water access to 90 lakh homes over two years, Andhra Pradesh’s Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 marks one of the State’s largest recent public-utility undertakings. The launch at Proddatur paired policy announcements with political sparring, reflecting the high stakes around governance and accountability. As the programme moves from inauguration to implementation, its progress will be closely watched alongside the wider development push outlined by the government.