YSRCP leaders condemn ‘neglect’ of Handri-Neeva canal system

YSRCP leaders inspect the Handri-Neeva canal in Anantapur district on Sunday. | Photo credit: RVS PRASAD

YSRCP leaders on Sunday inspected the Handri-Neeva canal system from Cholasamudram to Narayanapuram and demanded immediate expansion of its capacity to 11,500 cusecs.

The party alleged that the NDA government has weakened one of Rayalaseema’s critical irrigation projects through poor implementation and policy reversals.

As part of their ‘Chalo Cholasamudram’ protest to highlight the alleged neglect of the project, YSRCP leaders visited the canal and said its lining and widening work was of substandard quality. Alleging widespread irregularities in the works costing ₹3,000 crore, they claimed that if the work had been done properly, Anantapur district would have received up to 80 tmc ft of water.

The NDA government canceled the G.Os issued during the YSRCP period and reduced the capacity of the canal to 3850 cusecs, which they said undermined the long-term irrigation needs of Rayalaseema.

“The coalition government is systematically undermining the Handri-Neeva project and neglecting water security in the region. Hundreds of crores of rupees have been siphoned off,” YSRCP leaders alleged, demanding a comprehensive probe.

YSRCP leaders also criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for stalling the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation project and asked why he failed to condemn his Telangana counterpart’s remarks on the project.

“The YSRCP, once in power, will restore and expand the capacity of the Handri-Neeva canal to 11,500 cusecs to ensure adequate irrigation to the region,” they said.

Party Presidents Ananta Venkatarami Reddy, Sake Sailajanath. Y. Visweswara Reddy and Kethireddy Peddareddy participated in the protest programme.

Published – 19 Jul 2026 20:26 IST