State to revive defunct lift irrigation systems, says Rama Naidu

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu on Friday said the state government is committed to ensure permanent water security to 8.20 lakh acres through Lift Irrigation (LI) schemes. He alleged that nearly four lakh acres have dried up as several LI schemes have lapsed during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rule.

Mr. Rama Naidu said that at present only 166 out of 1023 state irrigation schemes are functional.

Commencement of restoration work on Vedadri-Kanchala lift irrigation scheme in Jaggayyapeta constituency estimated to cost ₹15 crore, the minister said tenders worth nearly ₹4,500 crore have been invited for repair and 10-year maintenance of lift irrigation systems from N Chbabef state as per instructions of Minister Na.

Claiming that the previous YSRCP government had neglected the irrigation sector, Mr Rama Naidu said it had left behind debts of ₹18,000 crore during 2019-24. He also blamed the previous regime for the damage to the Polavaram diaphragm wall and the Annamayya project.

The minister said the Vedadri-Kanchala scheme was among the lift irrigation projects that lapsed during the YSRCP government. Once restored, it would provide irrigation water for 17,366 acres in Jaggayyapeta and Nandigama constituencies, he said.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, MLA Sriram Tatayya and Tangirala Sowmya and Irrigation Advisor Venkateswara Rao were present.

Published – 03 Jul 2026 21:24 IST