Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) thanked the State government for sanctioning ₹369.20 crore for the modernisation of the Guntur channel, calling it a major boost to farmers in the region.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Chandra Sekhar said the project aimed to expand the existing channel and improve irrigation and drinking water supply. The works include the construction of slope bunds and the reconstruction of about 280 structures along the channel. He said the channel, built nearly six decades ago, had been unable to deliver adequate water due to issues such as seepage, lack of gradient and silt accumulation.