Crop calendar to be advanced to mitigate cyclone risks
PNS|Vijayawada
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to immediately release water to the Krishna and Godavari deltas to commence agricultural activities without delay. Stressing the need to advance the crop calendar, he said this would help ensure harvesting is completed before the onset of the cyclone season. He called for a focused approach to improve groundwater levels, fill reservoirs, and optimise water resource management across the state.
During a review meeting with Water Resources Department officials at the Secretariat on Friday, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of enabling three crop cycles annually to ensure green fields throughout the year. Expressing dissatisfaction over the non-functioning of piezometers and automated weather stations (AWS) in several areas, he ordered the immediate release of Rs 30 crore for procuring new equipment. He also called for the rectification of technical deficiencies and the implementation of scientific water audits.
Naidu instructed that all pending irrigation projects in Rayalaseema, Uttarandhra and other regions be prioritised and completed without delay. He asked officials to provide detailed data on mandals where groundwater levels are below 20 metres, and those where they range between 8 and 20 metres. He directed that central and local water bulletins be released regularly on a basin-wise and district-wise basis, with a clear focus on improving average groundwater levels statewide.
He asked officials to examine the feasibility of diverting Sileru waters to the Krishna delta and to expedite widening works on the Handri-Neeva main canal. He also directed that the first stage of the Veligonda project be completed by June 2026. The Chief Minister further instructed officials to seek financial support from the Centre through the State Authority for Special Projects (SASKI).
Immediate repair works were ordered for the plunge pool of the Srisailam project. He also directed the removal of silt and thorny vegetation from the Budameru river to allow free flow of water. Stressing the need for long-term planning, the Chief Minister said water management should ensure resilience for three to four years even in case of abundant rainfall in a single year. He called for the revision of crop patterns, formulation of action plans for both wet and dry crops, and the construction of water harvesting structures to enhance conservation.
On the Polavaram–Banakacherla linkage project, Naidu instructed officials to complete all required forest and environmental clearances, as well as Detailed Project Report (DPR) approvals. He said land acquisition should be kept ready and the project implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Tender documents must be finalised with expert input from the state-level technical committee, and the tendering process should be completed by the end of June.
The Polavaram–Banakacherla linkage project is being executed under the Jalaharathi Corporation, with a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) already set up. The state has submitted proposals to the Centre seeking financial assistance. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 81,900 crore. Of this, Rs 40,950 crore will be raised through external aid programme (EAP) loans, Rs 16,380 crore is proposed as a central government grant, Rs 8,190 crore will come from state equity, and the remaining Rs 16,380 crore will be covered under the HAM model.
Civil works on the Polavaram project are currently 81.70 per cent complete. The Chief Minister noted that while only 3.84 per cent progress was made during the five years of the previous government, the current coalition administration has achieved 5.93 per cent progress in just 11 months since taking office in 2024. The diaphragm wall is 64 per cent complete and is scheduled to be finished by December this year. The buttress dam is 91 per cent complete, and vibro-compaction of sand beds has reached 54 per cent. Naidu also directed that consultations be held with contractors to ensure timely completion of the entire Polavaram project.
