Andhra Pradesh government announces measures for irrigation

Andhra Pradesh government is keen to utilise about 1,000 TMC of water more by completing ongoing irrigation projects and take up other water conservation measures, state Information Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said here today.

He said that altogether 5,742 TMC of water is available to Andhra Pradesh, being a lower riparian state and only 1,594 TMC of water is being utilised at present.

The state government would make efforts to make use of 975 TMC of water.

"If about 2,500 TMC (1594 TMC and 975 TMC) of water is used, irrigated area in the state would go up 2.50 crore acres," he said.
 

Reddy was briefing reporters about decisions and deliberations of the state cabinet meeting chaired by AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today.

The AP Chief Minister would initiate a scheme to divert Godavari water from Polavaram multi-purpose project to the Krishna river in a week's time, he said.

About 70 TMC of water, now going into the sea would become available with the scheme. Ongoing works of several irrigation projects would be completed in about five years, he added.

Aiming to promote water conservation and green cover in the state, the AP Chief Minister would kick off the 'Neeru-Chettu' (water-tree) programme on February 19 at Tamballapalle in Chittoor district, he said.

The AP government would also take up repairs and revival of water bodies in the state on a war footing, Reddy said.

He said that in an effort to improve municipal administration, the state government has decided to classify municipalities into three categories instead of the present six categories.

Powers of municipal commissioners and works committees in municipal bodies have been enhanced.

The AP state government would appoint IAS officers as commissioners of municipal corporations, the minister said.

Staff in municipal bodies should undertake field visits everyday, he said.

Naidu would visit districts two days in every week to interact with the people, he said.