Naidu for completion of Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi in two years, moots sensors to measure ground water level

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said work on the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi aimed at supplying drinking and irrigation water in Visakhapatnam and its neighbourhood in two years.

During a review meeting here, he directed the officials to see that there should be no shortage of water in any region and ensure filling of all water tanks.

Naidu said that the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanti project should be completed in two years and the government is ready to spend Rs.2,000 crore. He stressed the need for developing water network in north Andhra with linking of Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Champavati to solve water problem in north Andhra.

At the same time Yeleru reservoir should be filled to full capacity to supply water to Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanti.

He said that though there is less rainfall in the State when compared to last year, all the water reservoirs and tanks are brimming to capacity due to better water management.

The Chief Minister was informed by the officials that 1,031 tmc of water reserves were present in all major, medium and minor irrigation tanks against the total capacity of 1,313 tmc. They informed that 89 per cent water reserves were present in Srisailam and other major reservoirs. Medium reservoirs reached 57 per cent storage capacity. The officials said 32,642 tanks were to be fulled. They said if all the 497 tanks were full in Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanti region there is a chance to supply water to 89,117 acres.

The Chief Minister said if the main projects were completed irrigation facility will be provided for 2,81,139 additional area including stabilization of 3,38,326 acres. He directed the officials to focus on completion of Galeru-Nagari sujala sravanti works upto 108 km to take water to Kadapa. He said the Srisailam dam protection works and escape channel works taken up at a cost of Rs 1686 crore should be completed on priority basis.

The Chief Minister said that the balance works of Varikapudisela phase I should be completed to supply water to 24,900 acres of new ayacut. At the same time steps should be taken to get forest and environmental clearance for phase II works.

Coming to ground water levels, the Chief Minister said there is increase in ground water level in the state when compared to last year which increased to 1.25 metres. The average ground water level by September 1 stands at 8.43 metres and in 7,762 villages the ground water level is below 8 metres. He said steps should be taken to increase the ground water levels through farm ponds and check dams. He said that censors should be arranged to know the ground water level in real time.

Minister for water resources Nimmala Ramanaidu and officials were present.