Naidu vows to complete Handri, Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project

Amaravati: Determined to fast-track the completion of the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS), the lifeline of Rayalaseema, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will visit the Uravakonda constituency in Anantapur district on Friday to inspect the construction works Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project.

Though the TDP government had expedited the project works during its 2014–2019 tenure, the subsequent government (2019–2024) showed severe neglect, stalling the project much like how it mishandled Polavaram, Naidu said. Critical canal widening and lining works were completely ignored, despite the project’s importance to Rayalaseema.

Naidu has given administrative approvals for canal widening and lining works for the HNSS Main Canal and Punganur Branch Canal (PBC). The Chief Minister has instructed officials to complete Phase I by June 2025, and work has been progressing rapidly in recent months. Between 2014 and 2019, significant work was carried out on the HNSS project. Realising the canals were inadequate to match the project’s capacity, Naidu proposed widening the HNSS Main Canal. The widening works began in April 2017. The Gollapalli Reservoir and Madakasira Branch Canal were completed in 2016–17. Water for the Kia Industries was drawn from the Gollapalli Reservoir. The Cherlopalli and Marala reservoirs were completed in 2018–19. In 2019, water was supplied for the first time to MBC and PBC. Soon after taking office, the coalition government granted administrative approvals for lining works of the HNSS Main Canal and the Punganur Branch Canal. Initially, due to lack of lining, maximum discharge was only 2,200 cusecs. With the current widening and lining efforts, capacity is being increased to 3,850 cusecs.