Andhra CM lays foundation for Godavari-Penna linking

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday laid the foundation for the first phase of Godavari-Penna linking project at Nakarikallu in Guntur district to make Rayalaseema region drought-free.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is "initiating steps to link Godavari and Penna rivers to supply water to parched lands of Rayalaseema region," reads an official statement.

"Penna river flows through Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor and Nellore districts. But the meagre water resources in the river are not enough to cater to the needs of these districts. Meanwhile, a major share of Godavari water is flowing to the sea without any usage," adds the statement.

"If Penna and Godavari rivers were linked, it will benefit in a big way by providing water resources for all the regions of five districts in Rayalaseema region," the statement further reads. The five lifts will be set up at various locations in Harischandrapuram, Lingapuram, Vyyandana, Gangireddypalem, and Nakirekal.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is planning to link Godavari and Penna in five phases at an estimated cost of Rs 83,796 crore and laid the foundation for the first phase works costing Rs 6020.15 crore at Nakerekal.

In the first phase, linking of 8500 cusecs of water from Pattiseema and 6870 cusecs of water from Chintalapudi lift will be taken to Prakasam barrage. From Prakasam barrage, 7000 cusecs of water will be taken to Nagarjuna Sagar right main canal in five phases by laying 10.25 km pipeline from Krishna river and gravity canal at a stretch of 56.35 km and using five lifts.

According to the statement, linking of Godavari river will benefit farmers in 39 mandals of Guntur districts including Prattipadu, Tadikonda, Pedakurapadu, Sattenapalli, Vinukonda, Chilakaluripet, Narasaraopet, Gurazala constituencies. Likewise, farmers in 40 mandals in Prakasam district including Yerragondapalem, Kondepi, Ongole, Darsi, Santanutalapadu, Prchuru, Addanki constituencies will also benefit.