Thotapalli project which provides irrigation facilities to Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
More than two million acres of land will get assured water in the near future as the government is keen to complete major irrigation projects in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy and Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar to take necessary measures for the early completion of irrigation projects in the respective districts while releasing the irrigation calendar at the just concluded Collector’s Conference in Amaravati.
According to the government’s ambitious plan, the Nagavali and Champavati rivers will be linked by 2027. This would also benefit the city of Vizianagaram as it is currently dependent on the Champavati river for its drinking water needs. Optimum utilization of river Nagavali would be possible with the proposed interlinking of rivers. The government plans to complete the Neradi project work for better utilization of Vamsadhara waters.
Irrigation officials have been directed to create a distribution network to ensure that water from the Thotapalli reservoir reaches the terminal areas of Vizianagaram and Parvatipuram-Manyam districts. Though the Thotapalli project near Parvatipuram has enough water, it is not utilized at optimum level as there are no proper canals in several mandals.
The establishment of distribution network in May and June is expected to benefit the farmers in the next Kharif season. MARKFED Director and AP Panchayatraj Chamber Vice President Anepu Ramakrishna hailed the government for releasing the irrigation calendar, giving special attention to irrigation projects in North Andhra region. He said in a press release that completion of existing irrigation projects and creation of proper canal network will benefit the farmers of both the backward districts.
Published – 09 May 2026 14:53 IST
