Naidu sets June deadline for restoration of 789 LI schemes

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to restore all 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes across Andhra Pradesh by June next year, ensuring water availability ahead of the Kharif season. He instructed officials to assess their condition through field inspections, invite tenders immediately and commence repair works without delay.

At a review meeting at his camp office on Wednesday, officials informed the Chief Minister that Rs 632.07 crore would be required to restore the schemes, which would provide irrigation facilities to 7.49 lakh acres.

Naidu directed that the Jalaharati Corporation be entrusted with monitoring and maintaining the schemes and asked officials to establish a dedicated division within the corporation.

He also suggested appointing a chief engineer or superintending engineer in each district, wherever necessary, to supervise their functioning. He stressed that all repairs must be completed by June. Officials informed the Chief Minister that 4,061 acres out of the 5,565 acres available with the Water Resources Department had been identified for solar power projects, with a potential capacity of 877.3 MW. Another 110 acres at 84 locations under the Irrigation Development Corporation could generate 25.8 MW. Altogether, 4,171 acres have been earmarked for solar power plants with a combined generation potential of 903.1 MW.

Naidu suggested exploring solar power generation over irrigation canals and the potential for hydropower. He also directed officials to prepare a plan for uninterrupted electricity supply to lift irrigation schemes during the cultivation season and explore selling surplus power to the grid.

The Chief Minister asked officials to examine the establishment of a Water Regulatory Commission on the lines of the Electricity Regulatory Commission to regulate water utilisation across agriculture, industries, power generation and transport. Naidu assured that funds would be released immediately for 36 priority irrigation projects and directed officials to complete all of them within the next two-and-a-half years, without allowing financial constraints to delay the works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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