Andhra Pradesh to spend Rs.632 crore on restoration of 789 lift irrigation schemes

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviews irrigation projects and lift irrigation schemes at his camp office on Wednesday. The government will spend ₹632.07 crore to restore 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes by June 2027. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Andhra Pradesh government will spend ₹632.07 crore on restoring 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes across the State, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said, directing officials to complete all repairs by June 2027 to ensure their availability for the ensuing kharif season.

Reviewing irrigation projects and lift irrigation schemes at his camp office on Wednesday (November 11, 2026), Mr. Naidu instructed officials to undertake field inspections, call tenders immediately and commence repair works without delay. He said all 789 schemes identified for restoration must be made operational before the commencement of the agricultural season.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the restoration works would require ₹632.07 crore and help provide irrigation facilities to 7.49 lakh acres. Mr. Naidu directed the Water Resources Department to establish a robust mechanism for the operation and maintenance of the schemes.

He asked the Jalaharathi Corporation to take up continuous monitoring of the lift irrigation schemes by setting up a dedicated division. If necessary, a Chief Engineer or Superintending Engineer should be appointed for each district to oversee their functioning and maintenance, he said.

Solar power generation

The officials informed the Chief Minister that 4,061 acres had been identified out of 5,565 acres available with the Water Resources Department for setting up solar power plants. These installations could generate 877.3 MW of electricity.

రాష్ట్రంలో ని సాగునీటి ప్రాజెక్టులు, ఎత్తిపోతల పథకాలపై గౌరవ ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ నారా చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు నేడు సమీక్ష నిర్వహించారు. ఎత్తిపోతల పథకాల మరమ్మతులు, నిర్వహణ, ఇరిగేషన్ భూముల్లో సౌర విద్యుత్ ప్లాంట్ల ఏర్పాటుపై సమీక్షలో చర్చ జరిగింది. సాగునీటి ఎత్తిపోతల ప్రాజెక్టులను జలహారతి కార్పొరేషన్ ద్వారా పర్యవేక్షించాలని సీఎం ఆదేశించారు. ఎలక్ట్రిసిటీ రెగ్యులేటరీ కమిషన్ తరహాలో వాటర్ రెగ్యులేటరి కమిషన్ తీసుకొచ్చే అంశంపై అధ్యయనం చేయాలని సూచించారు. ప్రభుత్వం నిర్దేశించుకున్న 36 ప్రాజెక్టులను రాబోవు రెండున్నర ఏళ్లలో పూర్తి చేయాలని దిశానిర్దేశం చేశారు. మంత్రి శ్రీ నిమ్మల రామానాయుడు, జలవనరుల శాఖ ఉన్నతాధికారులు ఈ సమావేశంలో పాల్గొన్నారు. #ChandrababuNaidu #AndhraPradesh

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) November 11, 2026

In addition, 110 acres across 84 locations under the Irrigation Development Corporation could be utilised for solar power generation, with a potential capacity of 25.8 MW.

In all, 4,171 acres could be utilised to establish solar power plants with a combined generation capacity of 903.1 MW.

Mr. Naidu suggested exploring the possibilities of generating solar and hydropower by utilising canal infrastructure as well. He asked officials to prepare a plan to ensure uninterrupted power supply to lift irrigation schemes during the agricultural season and examine the possibility of selling surplus electricity to the grid to generate revenue.

Integrating the transport, power generation, solar energy and agriculture sectors could create opportunities for wealth generation, he said.

The Chief Minister also asked officials to study the possibility of establishing a Water Regulatory Commission on the lines of the Electricity Regulatory Commission. He said a regulatory mechanism was needed for the irrigation sector, similar to those in the ports and power sectors.

He said that large projects such as the Ganga-Cauvery river-linking initiative could make water resources available for transport, power generation, industries and agriculture. A regulatory commission could take decisions on the allocation and utilisation of water among these sectors, he said.

36 priority projects

Mr. Naidu assured officials that the government would not allow any shortage of funds for completing the 36 priority irrigation projects identified across the State. He said the necessary funds would be released immediately and directed the officials to complete all the projects within the stipulated deadlines.

Published - November 11, 2026 02:54 pm IST