Kurnool: Amid variations between the Telugu states concerning the proposed Polavaram–Banakacharla mission mooted by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he has highlighted the mutual advantages for each Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister formally launched water from the Srisailam reservoir after providing prayers on the Srisailam temple. Talking at Sundipenta, he stated, “If we had received the 2019 elections, the Polavaram mission would have been accomplished by now.”
Sadly, he stated, the state misplaced 5 years. “At current, about 2,000 tmc-ft of water is flowing into the ocean. If each states can make the most of even 100 to 200 tmc-ft, it could remodel agriculture in each Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state and be sure that Rayalaseema will get sufficient water.”
Naidu emphasised that the Polavaram–Banakacharla mission can be a game-changer for drought-prone areas. “I’ve an in depth blueprint for Rayalaseema’s growth, which incorporates infrastructure upgrades, irrigation enhancements and financial progress plans.”
The area, he stated, already has sturdy connectivity via nationwide and state highways and is on its method to turning into a horticulture hub. He introduced conventional millet cultivation to exchange paddy, citing its well being advantages.
The Chief Minister stated Rayalaseema would additionally profit from upcoming industrial parks, solar energy crops and pumped vitality tasks, which might create employment and enhance earnings. He burdened the necessity for river-linking and stated Polavaram water could possibly be diverted for irrigation and ingesting wants if the Krishna river flows drop.
Naidu additionally highlighted the previous achievements of the TD, together with the implementation of main irrigation tasks just like the Telugu Ganga, KC Canal, SRBC, Galeru-Nagari, and Handri-Neeva and stated Andhra Pradesh has the potential to retailer 1,004 tmc-ft of water however presently has storage of solely 554 tmc-ft, round 55 per cent. With an extra 450 tmc-ft of storage, the state may deal with droughts extra successfully.
Naidu stated Telangana progressed considerably as a result of basis he laid throughout his tenure. “Telangana is now among the many states with the very best per capita earnings, with Hyderabad alone producing practically 70 per cent of the state’s income.”
He stated whereas the TD authorities spent Rs 68,000 crore on irrigation between 2014–2019, the YSRC authorities spent solely Rs 2,000 crore for this sector between 2019–2024.
“We allotted Rs 12,500 crore over the past TDP time period. After the current authorities took cost in 2024, Rs 3,850 crore has been sanctioned for the primary section of Handri-Neeva modernization works. Water can be equipped to Jeedipalli by July 15 and to the Madanapalle space by the top of the month, he stated.
The CM reiterated that ladies can be allowed free bus journey inside their districts from August 15. He additionally introduced a gathering with water customers associations in Amaravati inside per week to debate water conservation methods.
Ministers Nimmala Ramanaidu and BC Janardhan Reddy, MLAs Budda Rajasekhar Reddy and Bhuma Akhila Priya, district collector Rajakumari and senior officers of the irrigation division had been current.
