The Chief Minister has now set a target to divert 50 tmc ft of water from the Handri-Neeva project by early March, says Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu. File | Photo credit: GN RAO
The water resources department claimed to have set a new record in transferring water to the Rayalaseema region through the Handri-Neeva project, surpassing its design capacity for the first time.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said on Friday that in 190 days, the project has supplied 40,109 tmc ft of water to tanks and reservoirs in Rayalaseema districts.
This achievement reflects the significant increase in capacity initiated during the previous TDP period (2014–2019) when pump capacity was increased from one to six pumps and further expanded under the current coalition government to 12 pumps. Along with the increased pumping capacity, the government has completed the canal widening work in a record 100 days, he said.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered all tanks and reservoirs in Rayalaseema to be filled to ensure that irrigation reaches the last acre and aimed to make the region agriculturally vibrant.
The Chief Minister further instructed Mr. Ramanaida to increase the pumping of water from Handri-Neeva to 50 tmc ft by the end of February or beginning of March, a target officials were confident of achieving.
Ministers Pyyavula Keshav, BC Janardhan Reddy and MLA Kalva Srinivas expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for prioritizing the quick completion of the project to ensure stable water supply to the drought-prone region, a press release said.
Published – 23 Jan 2026 20:03 IST
