Use water resources as per plan, prioritise drinking water needs, Naidu tells officials

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu instructed the Water Resources Department to follow the Water Movement Plan meticulously, prioritizing drinking water needs in urban and rural areas. Discussing the department's performance at the State Secretariat in Amaravati, Naidu emphasized the need for an action plan to effectively utilize stored water and groundwater, especially considering the current rainfall deficit.

The review addressed the progress of the Polavaram and Veligonda projects, the 36 priority projects to be executed sequentially, water storage and releases from reservoirs, and the implementation of Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programs. Officials reported that 89.9% of Polavaram's civil works were completed, and that project activities had not been disrupted by a recent flood discharge of around 14 lakh cusecs.

Naidu directed officials to enhance road connectivity and infrastructure for dam site operations and maintenance, as well as to safeguard local sentiments surrounding the Gandi Poshama temple. The Chief Minister set a goal to finish the Polavaram Left Main Canal's remaining works by next March, and he instructed the filling of reservoirs and tanks up to Anakapalli.

He also emphasized developing areas around the project for productivity and tourism. Naidu addressed concerns over data centers' water needs, asserting that 3.5 TMC would suffice and debunking misinformation surrounding the issue. He directed officials to communicate these facts clearly to the public. Given the poor rainfall situation, drinking water should remain the top priority, followed by industrial requirements, he said.

The Chief Minister also urged farmers to refrain from cultivating six water-intensive crops during the current season and stressed the importance of maintaining Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programs to boost groundwater levels. Naidu stated that Andhra Pradesh had ample water resources and that a balance could be struck between drawing water from the Godavari for North Andhra and the Krishna Delta region, based on demand.

He proposed exploring the development of inland water transport connectivity between Visakhapatnam and Amaravati. The Chief Minister directed the department to identify productive uses for lands under its control and to complete the Veligonda project works while addressing the displaced families' concerns in a compassionate manner.