A.P. CM orders release of water into Jeedipalli reservoir under HNSS Project from July 15

The Hindu

15 hours ago

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the Water Resources Department (WRD) to release 3,850 cusecs of water into the Jeedipalli reservoir under the first phase of the Handri–Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) Project from July 15. Water from Jeedipalli will then be used to fill the Gollapalli, Marala, and Cherlopalli reservoirs.
Addressing a review meeting on major irrigation projects at his camp office on Saturday, Mr. Naidu ordered that water be released through the Phase‑II canal to Punganur and Kuppam branch canals by July 31.
He said the government's continuous efforts over the last one year to ensure the supply of irrigation water to Rayalaseema were yielding significant results, pointing out that ₹3,890 crore had been sanctioned for HNSS works.
With the completion of the canal extension and lining works, several areas in the Rayalaseema region would receive water to agricultural fields for the first time. Water from Jeedipalli would also be routed to the Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir for 15 days starting July 15.
Mr. Naidu asked the officials to implement a comprehensive plan for efficient water management, with particular attention to recharging the groundwater.
Officials informed Mr. Naidu that all districts except Kadapa have received normal rainfall so far and the forecast for the coming days was optimistic.
As on date, reservoirs in the State are holding 419 tmc ft of water, which is a significant increase from the 182 tmc ft stored at the same time last year.
Mr. Naidu stressed on the need to fully utilise the inflows coming through the HNSS and Pothireddypadu system for filling reservoirs across Rayalaseema.
He noted that major projects in the Penna basin, including Somasila and Kandaleru, were well‑positioned to store water, and irrigation should be prioritised before filling the reservoirs.
Mr. Naidu ordered the immediate commencement of Galeru–Nagari canal works to supply water to Kadapa and called for tenders to be issued without delay for Phase‑II of the Handri–Neeva canal to supply water to the southernmost parts of Chittoor district
He instructed the officials to ensure the completion of Veligonda project in Prakasam district by June 2026, and Polavaram Left Canal works by July 31.
Due focus should be laid on expediting the construction of Uttarandhra irrigation projects, and all outstanding works in the Vamsadhara–Nagavali linkage project must be completed at the earliest. The Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi project should be integrated with those systems, the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Naidu stressed the need for comprehensive water auditing by Vassar Labs to ensure efficient planning and resource utilisation.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu and senior officials took part in the meeting held in virtual mode.