Andhra Pradesh Government Releases PPT on Rayalaseema Projects
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday released a comprehensive status report on the irrigation sector, offering a stark comparison between the alleged neglect during the previous regime (2019-2024) and the current administration’s restoration efforts in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.
In a detailed presentation, the government highlighted that the foundations for critical projects like Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, and Galeru-Nagari were laid during the tenures of N.T. Rama Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu with the vision of drought-proofing the region using Krishna river waters. The report underscored that systematic negligence over the preceding five years had compromised this vision, leading to infrastructure decay and financial waste.
Current Water Reserves
According to the latest data released by the government, the water availability in Rayalaseema has seen a significant boost. As of January 5, 2026, the 17 major reservoirs in the region hold 288.32 TMC of water against a total capacity of 335.03 TMC, marking an 86% storage level. When including medium and minor irrigation tanks, the region currently holds 366.09 TMC (79% of the total 464.65 TMC capacity), ensuring substantial water security for the agricultural season.
Project Neglect and Restoration: The Handri-Neeva Case
The report cited the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project as a prime example of administrative apathy during the 2019-2024 period. Despite the existence of pump houses with a 3,850-cusec capacity, the previous government allegedly failed to complete crucial works, rendering the infrastructure useless. The report noted that between 2019 and 2024, merely ₹514 crore was spent on the project, while electricity dues were allowed to accumulate.
In contrast, the current administration stated it has accelerated works between 2024 and 2026, expending ₹3,145 crore to complete Phase 1 and 2 works. Consequently, Krishna waters have now been successfully transported to the Paramasamudram tank (735 km away) and the Madakasira branch canal (493 km).
Maintenance Failures and Tragic Consequences
The presentation levelled serious allegations regarding the lack of maintenance, which reportedly led to structural failures. The government pointed to the collapse of the Annamayya project due to operational negligence, which resulted in the submergence of villages and the tragic loss of 39 lives. Similarly, the Pincha project suffered structural damage, and a breach in the Alaganur balancing reservoir bund in September 2021 halted water supply to the ayacut for years.
The report also highlighted the swift response to the Tungabhadra dam crisis in 2024, where the 19th crest gate was washed away. The state government noted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s intervention ensured the installation of stop-log gates within five days, saving approximately 40 TMC of water. Currently, ₹54.42 crore is being utilised for new crest gates, alongside substantial allocations for repairs at Srisailam (₹203 crore) and Gorakallu (₹55.50 crore).
Fiscal Mismanagement and Regulatory Violations
The government accused the previous regime of wasting public funds on projects initiated without statutory clearances. The report cited the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, launched in 2020 without environmental approval. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) subsequently halted the project and imposed a fine. The government estimated that ₹990 crore spent on civil works and machinery was wasted, leaving a debt burden of ₹750 crore.
Furthermore, the report alleged that ₹1,067 crore was released to contractors for the GNSS-HNSS link without securing land or forest clearances. Similar procedural violations in the Mudivedu, Nethiguntapalli, and Avulapalli reservoirs reportedly attracted NGT fines of ₹100 crore, resulting in a waste of ₹688 crore of exchequer funds while ₹191 crore in farmer compensation remained unpaid.
Looking ahead, the government reaffirmed its commitment to long-term water security by harnessing Godavari waters. The presentation outlined a plan to divert 200 TMC of the estimated 3,000 TMC of Godavari water currently draining into the sea. Through the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link, the government aims to store 173 TMC in the Bollapalli reservoir, realizing the Chief Minister’s goal of transforming Rayalaseema into a fertile region.
In a detailed presentation, the government highlighted that the foundations for critical projects like Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, and Galeru-Nagari were laid during the tenures of N.T. Rama Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu with the vision of drought-proofing the region using Krishna river waters. The report underscored that systematic negligence over the preceding five years had compromised this vision, leading to infrastructure decay and financial waste.
Current Water Reserves
According to the latest data released by the government, the water availability in Rayalaseema has seen a significant boost. As of January 5, 2026, the 17 major reservoirs in the region hold 288.32 TMC of water against a total capacity of 335.03 TMC, marking an 86% storage level. When including medium and minor irrigation tanks, the region currently holds 366.09 TMC (79% of the total 464.65 TMC capacity), ensuring substantial water security for the agricultural season.
Project Neglect and Restoration: The Handri-Neeva Case
The report cited the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project as a prime example of administrative apathy during the 2019-2024 period. Despite the existence of pump houses with a 3,850-cusec capacity, the previous government allegedly failed to complete crucial works, rendering the infrastructure useless. The report noted that between 2019 and 2024, merely ₹514 crore was spent on the project, while electricity dues were allowed to accumulate.
In contrast, the current administration stated it has accelerated works between 2024 and 2026, expending ₹3,145 crore to complete Phase 1 and 2 works. Consequently, Krishna waters have now been successfully transported to the Paramasamudram tank (735 km away) and the Madakasira branch canal (493 km).
Maintenance Failures and Tragic Consequences
The presentation levelled serious allegations regarding the lack of maintenance, which reportedly led to structural failures. The government pointed to the collapse of the Annamayya project due to operational negligence, which resulted in the submergence of villages and the tragic loss of 39 lives. Similarly, the Pincha project suffered structural damage, and a breach in the Alaganur balancing reservoir bund in September 2021 halted water supply to the ayacut for years.
The report also highlighted the swift response to the Tungabhadra dam crisis in 2024, where the 19th crest gate was washed away. The state government noted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s intervention ensured the installation of stop-log gates within five days, saving approximately 40 TMC of water. Currently, ₹54.42 crore is being utilised for new crest gates, alongside substantial allocations for repairs at Srisailam (₹203 crore) and Gorakallu (₹55.50 crore).
Fiscal Mismanagement and Regulatory Violations
The government accused the previous regime of wasting public funds on projects initiated without statutory clearances. The report cited the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, launched in 2020 without environmental approval. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) subsequently halted the project and imposed a fine. The government estimated that ₹990 crore spent on civil works and machinery was wasted, leaving a debt burden of ₹750 crore.
Furthermore, the report alleged that ₹1,067 crore was released to contractors for the GNSS-HNSS link without securing land or forest clearances. Similar procedural violations in the Mudivedu, Nethiguntapalli, and Avulapalli reservoirs reportedly attracted NGT fines of ₹100 crore, resulting in a waste of ₹688 crore of exchequer funds while ₹191 crore in farmer compensation remained unpaid.
Looking ahead, the government reaffirmed its commitment to long-term water security by harnessing Godavari waters. The presentation outlined a plan to divert 200 TMC of the estimated 3,000 TMC of Godavari water currently draining into the sea. Through the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link, the government aims to store 173 TMC in the Bollapalli reservoir, realizing the Chief Minister’s goal of transforming Rayalaseema into a fertile region.