Govt Committed to Rebuilding State After Five Years of Setbacks: Minister

Quick Summary:

• Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Rama Naidu performed ‘Jala harathi’ at Pavitra sangam, where the Godavari River meets the Krishna River in Ibrahimpatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme has reportedly benefitted 13 lakh acres in the Krishna Delta by diverting surplus Godavari water to conserve Krishna water for Rayalaseema and other needs.
• The scheme launched in 2015 during the TDP regime aimed at diverting 3,000 tmcft of Godavari water that flowed into the sea annually. Till date, 428 tmcft of surplus Godavari water has been transferred through it.
• Nimmala claimed this initiative fetched ₹50,000 crore income between 2014-19 and facilitated storage of floodwater for use during dry seasons. He noted current water reserves include 20 tmcft in Pulichintala and an additional reserve from last year’s stored floodwaters used for consumption during summer.
• Criticism was directed toward YSRCP-led governance: alleged neglect of lift irrigation schemes and lack of repair funding until ₹700 crore was spent under NDA governance within a year despite financial constraints.
• Prominent figures including Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath and Jaggayyapeta MLA Rajagopal Sreeram accompanied Naidu.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme showcases effective interlinkage between major rivers to address irrigation requirements in drought-prone areas such as Rayalaseema while securing agricultural output across the Krishna Delta region-a move critical to Andhra Pradesh’s agrarian economy amidst fluctuating monsoon patterns. Key claims regarding economic benefits (₹50,000 crore) suggest tangible returns on investment but merit further scrutiny given financial stakes tied to multi-year hydrological projects.

While Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu highlighted significant achievements under TDP governance, his remarks reflect polarizing rhetoric targeting opposition-led YSRCP without detailed counterpoints or independent evaluations on contemporary performance metrics. Regardless of political context, repairing lift schemes remains vital to safeguarding consistent irrigation flows pivotal for farming livelihoods.

Andhra’s continued dependence on innovative flood management highlights broader implications surrounding integrated river basin strategies nationwide amid increasing climate variability challenges.

Image:
!Minister for Irrigation Nimmala Rama Naidu performing Jala Harati

Read more: Published July 10 on The Hindu