Andhra Pradesh plans Rs 632 crore repairs to restore 789 lift irrigation schemes

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to restore 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes at a cost of Rs 632.07 crore by June next year. The repairs are expected to improve irrigation facilities across 7.4 lakh acres

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to restore 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 632.07 crore and make them operational before the ensuing kharif season.

Reviewing irrigation projects and lift irrigation schemes at his camp office, Naidu instructed officials to complete all repairs by June next year, an official press release said.

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These repairs will improve irrigation facilities for 7.4 lakh acres of land, officials informed the Chief Minister. He directed them to inspect the condition of the schemes at the field level, invite tenders immediately and begin repairs without delay.

Naidu proposed entrusting the continuous monitoring and maintenance of these schemes to the Jalaharathi Corporation, asking officials to establish a dedicated division for the purpose. He also suggested appointing a Chief Engineer or Superintending Engineer in every district to supervise the restoration works.

Officials were directed to coordinate with one another to complete the repairs.

During the review, officials informed the Chief Minister that 4,171 acres of government irrigation land could be utilised to establish solar power plants with a combined generation capacity of 903.1 MW.

Of the 5,565 acres available under the Water Resources Department, 4,061 acres have been identified for solar installations with a potential capacity of 877.3 MW. Additionally, 110 acres across 84 locations under the Irrigation Development Corporation could generate another 25.8 MW.

The Chief Minister asked officials to explore solar and hydropower generation opportunities along canals, besides using available land. He also directed them to prepare a plan to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply to lift irrigation schemes during the agricultural season and examine the possibility of selling surplus power to the grid.

Naidu said integrating transport, power generation, solar energy and agriculture could create additional economic opportunities.

He also suggested examining the establishment of a Water Regulatory Commission on the lines of the Electricity Regulatory Commission to regulate water utilisation across different sectors, including irrigation, industries, power generation and transport.

Referring to major initiatives such as the Ganga-Cauvery river-linking project, he said a regulatory mechanism could help determine water allocation among various sectors.

The Chief Minister further assured officials that funds would be released without delay to complete 36 irrigation projects identified as priorities by the government. He directed them to complete all these projects within the next two and a half years.