Chandrababu unveils first ever irrigation calendar for Andhra Pradesh

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a major push to accelerate irrigation infrastructure and strengthen water security in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled a comprehensive “Irrigation Calendar” detailing timelines for the completion and launch of 25 major irrigation and lift irrigation projects across the state.

The announcement was made during the District Collectors’ Conference in Amaravati, where the Chief Minister described the calendar as a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at bringing accountability, transparency and time-bound execution into the irrigation sector. Officials said no previous government had publicly announced such a detailed project-wise irrigation schedule.

The irrigation calendar includes deadlines for foundation works, canal modernisation projects, reservoirs, barrages and lift irrigation schemes extending up to 2028. The government stated that the initiative reflects its commitment to completing long-pending irrigation works and improving water availability for agriculture and drinking purposes.

Among the key projects listed, the foundation works for the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage gates are scheduled for June 2026, while the Polavaram Project Left Main Canal is targeted for completion by July 2026. The Veligonda Phase-1 project is expected to be completed by August 2026.

The government also set timelines for strategically important projects such as Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, Neradi Barrage, Maddduvalasa Phase-2, Nagavali-Champavathi river linking project, Muktyala Lift Irrigation Scheme and Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme.

According to the schedule, the main Polavaram Project itself is targeted for completion by June 2027. Other major works, including Budameru flood protection systems, Vamsadhara Phase-2 Stage-2, Totapalli distributary works and Neva Branch Canal expansion, are planned in phases through 2027.

The final phase of the irrigation calendar extends into 2028, covering projects such as the Vedavathi Lift Irrigation Scheme, Bhairavanithippa and the Upper Pennar Project.

Officials said the structured irrigation roadmap would help departments closely monitor project execution, improve inter-departmental coordination and ensure timely allocation of funds and resources.

The Chief Minister reportedly instructed officials to strictly adhere to the announced deadlines and emphasised that irrigation infrastructure remains central to the state’s agricultural growth strategy and long-term economic development.