PaperDabba News Desk: 12 July 2024
The Water Resources Department in Andhra Pradesh is undertaking significant measures to revitalize the neglected drinking and irrigation water sectors. Under the guidance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, efforts are being made to efficiently utilize every drop of water to meet the people’s drinking and irrigation needs, stated Dr. Nimmala Ramanaidu, Minister of Water Resources.
Efficient Water Management for Prosperity: Minister Nirmala Ramanaidu
On Wednesday, during a program to release water into the canals at the Prakasam Barrage – Krishna East Delta Head Regulator, Dr. Nimmala Ramanaidu, along with Housing, Information and Public Relations Minister Kollu Parthasarathi, Mines and Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani, District Collector Dr. G. Srujana, MLC Ashok Babu, MLAs Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Mandali Buddha Prasad, Kavitha Krishna Prasad, Yarlagadda Venkata Rao, and others, participated in the ceremonial release of water.
Dr. Nimmala Ramanaidu emphasized that efficient water resource management could generate significant wealth, benefiting all social strata and ensuring the prosperity of the regions and the state. He noted that the ongoing efforts to protect and develop existing ayacut lands would further boost the agricultural sector and support farmers. Highlighting the foresight of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, he mentioned that the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme would facilitate irrigation for nearly 1.3 million acres and provide drinking water to 3-4 million people. Measures are being taken to develop Pattiseema, Tadipudi, Purushottapatnam, and Pushkara schemes. He stated that 6,500 cusecs of water are currently being released from Pattiseema, with an additional 500-600 cusecs from Tadipudi. Dr. Ramanaidu suggested prioritizing this water for drinking purposes and then for Kharif crops, highlighting the benefits to NTR, Krishna, and Eluru districts, covering 738,000 acres and 11 constituencies.
Improper Maintenance Hurts Irrigation: Minister Kollu Parthasarathi
State Housing, Information, and Public Relations Minister Kollu Parthasarathi noted that improper maintenance had severely damaged the irrigation sector, causing crop inundation with minimal rainfall. He emphasized the importance of desilting canals and drains to prevent problems for Krishna Delta residents, particularly farmers in Pedana, Avanigadda, and Bandar regions. Parthasarathi highlighted the significant investment in the Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure and criticized the previous government for neglecting it. Efforts are underway to complete maintenance work before releasing water into the canals.
Water for Every Acre: Minister Kollu Ravindra
Minister of Mines and Excise Kollu Ravindra pointed out the severe drinking water issues faced by Krishna Delta residents. They thanked the Chief and Water Resources Minister for addressing the problem by releasing water into the Eastern and Western Delta canals. He emphasized the importance of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, which was previously criticized but now proves highly beneficial. Under the Chief Minister’s directives, efforts are being made to ensure irrigation water reaches every last acre.
Irrigation advisors M. Venkateswara Rao, Chief Engineer C. Narayana Reddy, SE TGH Prasadbabu, KC Division EE PR Krishnarao, and representatives of farmers’ associations participated in the program.
