Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said in a review meeting on water resources ministry, that the government is considering handing over the management of crop canals in the state to private companies. It is learned that it has been decided to examine the issue of handing over the canals to the private sector for the proper management of crop canals and to maintain the necessary control in the release of water.
Similarly, the CM ordered the formation of a corporation for the Polavaram- Banakacharla Link project, which the state government has taken up with great ambition. The CM said that there is an opportunity to get funds from the center only by submitting the DPR and forming a corporation, and there are many ideas on how to take those funds.
He instructed the officials that work in irrigation projects should be done as per the target and that delays in projects for which permissions have been granted should not be tolerated. He said that targets should be set for daily work in the Polavaram project and whether they have been achieved or not.
The Chief Minister cautioned that both the officials and the contractors will be held responsible if the work is not done. He said that 1,379 meters of diaphragm wall was to be built, but 35 meters have been completed so far. He ordered that if the project work is not completed by June 2027, it should be completed by December.
He said that the work of the Uttarandhra Sujala Stream, which carries water to Visakhapatnam through the left canal, should also be completed. He said that the court cases on the Chintalapudi project should be resolved and the work should be put on track.
The CM expressed his anger over the delay in the Veligonda project. He deplored that it is sad that the project planned 25 years ago has not been completed yet. He said that he will examine the project soon. He said that all departments have to work together to increase groundwater along with water storage in reservoirs.
Chandrababu said that a committee will be formed with the ministers of Panchayat Raj, Forest, Irrigation, Agriculture and Municipal departments for this. He said that the committee will work on groundwater and increase greenery and make suggestions. Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu and senior officials participated in the review.