Overview
The Andhra Pradesh government is fast‑tracking several large‑scale irrigation schemes to meet water‑security goals and boost agriculture. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu announced accelerated timelines for the Polavaram project, the Veligonda project, and the repair of over a thousand lift irrigation schemes operated by the IDC.
Key Developments
- Polavaram civil works are 90% complete; overall project progress stands at 77%.
- Land acquisition (94%) and R&R for affected families (52%) are on track for completion by December 2026.
- Targeted completion date shifted from December 2027 to March 2027 on the Chief Minister’s directive.
- Works continued during the recent Godavari floods (≈14 lakh cusecs flow).
- ECRF Gap‑1 works are 48% done; Gap‑2 at 36%.
- Left Main Canal funding of ₹1,500‑₹1,800 crore spent after 2024, with water expected to flow to Anakapalli by end‑August 2026.
- Veligonda tunnel‑bore obstruction: 1,500 tonnes of iron cleared from Tunnel‑2; remaining 400 tonnes to be removed.
- ₹318 crore released for Veligonda R&R; remaining ₹600 crore to be disbursed between 17‑24 August 2026.
- Out of 1,040 IDC lift schemes, only 150 are fully operational, serving ~8 lakh acres; a 10‑year repair and O&M plan is being prepared.
Important Facts
• Polavaram aims to irrigate over 12 lakh hectares and generate 960 MW of power.
• The project’s ayacut has been hampered by deteriorating lift schemes.
• The government will prepare a monthly work programme and an irrigation calendar for 36 priority projects.
• A tourism component is being added to Polavaram, including a radial survey of 10,000 acres, spillway beautification, and a river‑based tourism corridor to Bhadrachalam.
Exam Relevance
Understanding large‑scale irrigation projects helps answer GS 3 questions on water resources, agricultural productivity, and regional development. The shift in timelines illustrates policy‑making dynamics and the role of political leadership (GS 2). The integration of tourism with a dam project touches on sustainable development and inter‑state water‑sharing issues (GS 3 & GS 4). Knowledge of terms like lift irrigation and ayacut is essential for answering questions on irrigation infrastructure.
Way Forward
The state must ensure that the remaining civil works, land acquisition and R&R activities are completed by the March 2027 deadline. Continuous monitoring through the proposed irrigation calendar will help track progress. The 10‑year O&M plan for IDC lift schemes should prioritize critical pumps and canal linings to restore the ayacut and improve farmer incomes. Finally, integrating tourism must balance ecological concerns with revenue generation, a point often examined in GS 4 ethics and governance questions.