Vijayawada: Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed irrigation dept officials to prepare plans for setting up the Polavaram-Banakacherla corporation. Naidu also proposed the idea of privatising canal operation and management.
In a review meeting, he mentioned that discussions with the Union govt were underway for funding, with several ideas being considered.
Naidu instructed the officials to set targets for the completion of each project and stated that delays in executing projects, which have all clearances, would not be tolerated. He further noted that the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanti project should also be operational by the time water reaches Visakhapatnam through the Polavaram left canal, allowing Godavari water to be redirected to north Andhra projects.
Naidu further stressed the need to ensure groundwater availability at depths of 3 to 9 metres. Reservoirs should be filled to manage water effectively, and all departments should collaborate to enhance groundwater availability. He added that a committee would be formed with ministers from the panchayati raj, forest, irrigation, agriculture, and municipal departments to plan for groundwater enhancement.
