There are plans to supply irrigation and drinking water to Rayalaseema through the Handri-Neeva project by December 2025, says Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu. file. | Photo Courtesy: GN Rao
Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said the victory of candidates backed by the ruling alliance in the Water Users Association (WUA) polls indicated that the farming community has no confidence in the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Accusing the previous YSRCP government of being responsible for the collapse of the irrigation sector, Mr. Rama Naidu told the media on Saturday that the NDA government in the state has prioritized completion of pending irrigation projects to protect the interests of farmers.
The YSRCP government did not undertake irrigation projects and maintenance of canals. He said that the work of cleaning the canal and greasing the crest gate has not been done.
The NDA government held elections for the WUA to overcome the dire situation and the farmers overwhelmingly supported the alliance candidates. From this victory, it is clear that the Jaganmohan Reddy government’s anti-farmer policy has damaged the agricultural sector.
Shri Rama Naidu thanked the farmers who voted for the alliance candidates and said that around one crore farmers participated in the elections.
He said the government aims to complete the Polavaram project by the end of 2027 and tenders of Rs 900 crore have been invited for the project to take Godavari water to Uttarandhra region through the Polavaram left canal in June 2025.
Plans to provide irrigation and water supply to the Rayalaseema region through the Handri-Neeva project by December 2025 are being worked on with a budget of Rs 2,500 crore, the minister added.
published – December 22, 2024 at 05:16 pm IST