Vijayawada, Feb 26 (.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that a blueprint on irrigation projects completion will be prepared soon and reiterated the government’s commitment to supply water to all regions in the state.

Speaking on the budget allocations to the irrigation sector in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the State government is focusing on water security, which is essential to attract investments and industries. He stressed the need for linking of rivers right from the Vamsadhara to Penna River to ensure water supply to all the regions in the state and efforts are on to prepare necessary plans.

The Chief Minister explained that Rs 20,000 crore had been spent on irrigation sector during the past 20 months. As a result of which water was supplied to Paramasamudram tank in Kuppam through Handri Neeva canal. Stating that all the irrigation projects were developed during TDP regime, the Chief Minister noted that he Telulu Ganga, Galeru Nagari and Handri Neeva projects were launched during former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s regime to supply water to Rayalaseema region.

Through Pattiseema lift irrigation, 100 tmc of water was supplied to Rayalaseema, the Chief Minister highlighted and assured on completion of the Veligonda project to benefit Markapuram and Prakasam districts.

Naidu reaffirmed the completion of the Polavaram project before the Godavari Pushkarams and assured of completing the Chintalapudi lift irrigation scheme expeditiously to supply water to upland areas of Krishna and Eluru districts.
The Chief Minister revealed that at present 793 tmc of water was available in various reservoirs in the state and making efforts to supply water for paddy transplantations from May 15.

“Andhra Pradesh stands in first place in micro irrigation in the country. With the measures initiated by the State Government towards water security the ground water levels increased and available at 7.3 metres resulting in savings in power consumption to a tune of Rs 91 crore,” the Chief Minister acknowledged.

Stating that there will be no loss to any one with the linking of Polavaram and Nallamala sagar, the Chief Minister made it clear that the surplus Godavari water, which is flowing into sea, will be used and both the Telugu States will get benefit out of it.
The Chief Minister recalled that the AP Government had not objected to the Kaleshwaram project of Telangana State.

. DP .