Over two lakh acres of land will get assured water in the near future as the government is keen to complete major irrigation projects both in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy and Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar to take necessary measures for early completion of the irrigation projects in the respective districts while releasing irrigation calendar in just concluded collectors’ conference in Amaravati.

As per the government’s ambitious plan, the Nagavali and Champavati rivers will be linked by 2027. This would benefit Vizianagaram city also, as it is currently depending on the Champavati River for its drinking water needs. Optimum utilisation of the Nagavali river would be possible with the proposed linkage of rivers. The government is planning to complete the Neradi project works for the better utilisation of Vamsadhara waters.

The irrigation officials were directed to create a distributory network to ensure that the water from the Thotapalli reservoir reaches the tail-end areas of Vizianagaram and Parvatipuram-Manyam districts. In spite of having abundant water in the Thotapalli project located near Parvatipuram, it is not being used at an optimum level in the absence of proper canals in several mandals.

The creation of a distributory network in May and June is expected to benefit farmers in the next Kharif season. MARKFED Director and A.P. Panchayatraj Chamber Vice President Anepu Ramakrishna hailed the government for releasing the irrigation calendar while putting special focus on irrigation projects of the North Andhra region. In a press release, he said that the completion of existing irrigation projects and the creation of a proper canal network will benefit farmers of both backward districts.