By Subba Rao

Copyright thehindu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday vowed to transform Andhra Pradesh into a drought-proof State through a technology-driven, data-backed water management system.

Stressing that development is only possible with assured water availability, he called for adopting a ‘One State–One Water’ policy and extending full cooperation for intra-river linking.

Speaking in the Assembly during a discussion on irrigation, the Chief Minister said thousands of TMCs of floodwaters from the Godavari and Krishna rivers are flowing waste into the sea every year. “By interlinking rivers, we can utilise surplus waters to ensure water security for all regions,” he said, adding that the Polavaram project would be completed by December 2027, the Veligonda project by July 2026, and all other pending irrigation projects across Rayalaseema and North Andhra within two years.

Recalling his efforts to bring Krishna waters to Kuppam through the Handri-Neeva project by completing 738 km of canals, Mr. Naidu expressed satisfaction over the achievement.

The Chief Minister said, despite a 2.1% rainfall deficit this year, groundwater levels have improved and 94% of major and minor reservoirs are filled, holding a combined 1,040 TMC of water. Groundwater reserves currently stand at 697 TMC, and soil moisture holding capacity has risen to 84%.

Mr. Naidu lauded the State for leading in intra-river linking and drip irrigation. He said the NDA government has already spent ₹12,000 crore on irrigation in one year and will allocate ₹60,000 crore over the next five years.

Referring to the Polavaram project, he recalled that the TDP government had completed 72% of the works by 2019, but negligence under the previous regime led to the diaphragm wall’s collapse. “Now, ₹1,000 crore is being spent to rebuild the wall, which will be ready by December 2025,” he said.