The ‘Jaladhara-Jalaharathi’ water conservation initiative launched by the State government is being implemented across Kurnool district to restore irrigation tanks, improve groundwater recharge, and strengthen traditional water conservation systems.

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, District Collector A. Siri said plans had been prepared for restoring 246 tanks under the programme. Officials from the Irrigation department and the District Water Management Agency (DWMA) are jointly executing the works at the field level.

The Collector said the authorities have proposed 48,488 water conservation structures across the district. Desiltation works in 148 tank beds, and restoration of 181 feeder channels are expected to improve water storage capacity in several irrigation sources. The project would also cover strengthening works for 86 tank bunds to improve their capacity during heavy inflows, he added.

Repair works on 48 sluices and 37 surplus weirs are being carried out as part of the effort to revive older irrigation systems. Ms. Siri said work is being monitored by farmer associations in 484 villages to ensure community participation and transparency in implementation.

The programme has been linked with the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), (VB-G RAM G) scheme, providing employment opportunities in rural areas while creating irrigation assets. Officials said 2,180 works had already been sanctioned under the initiative, and 1,155 works were currently in progress.

“The initiative aims to improve water availability, increase groundwater levels, and support irrigation needs in drought-prone areas of Kurnool district,” the Collector said.