Irrigation works across 9.80 lakh acres, major river projects and water conservation initiatives are driving one of Rayalaseema’s biggest irrigation programmes

A Region Waiting for Water

For decades, Rayalaseema’s development has been shaped by one persistent challenge – water scarcity. Despite the execution of several irrigation projects over the years, large parts of the region continued to depend on uncertain monsoons, declining groundwater and ageing irrigation infrastructure.

While irrigation potential was created on paper, ensuring reliable water at the farm level remained an unfinished task.

The Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government is now attempting to change that narrative through a broader irrigation strategy centred on execution rather than announcements. Even as political debate continues over the stalled Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS), the government’s emphasis has shifted towards completing legally approved projects, modernising existing infrastructure, strengthening reservoirs, improving water-use efficiency and building long-term water security for Rayalaseema.

Official estimates indicate that irrigation works worth ₹20,884 crore are currently under implementation across the region. Together, these projects are expected to create an additional 52 TMC of water availability, stabilise irrigation over 4.37 lakh acres and extend irrigation benefits to nearly 9.80 lakh acres, making it one of the largest irrigation programmes currently underway in Andhra Pradesh.

Projects Driving Rayalaseema’s Irrigation Push

Rather than depending on a single intervention, the government’s strategy revolves around a network of major irrigation projects that together form the backbone of Rayalaseema’s water infrastructure.

Handri–Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS):

The flagship project of the government’s Rayalaseema irrigation strategy. Around ₹3,880 crore has been invested in the project within a year, along with ₹3,145 crore for canal strengthening to carry Krishna waters to tail-end areas, including the Kuppam and Madakasira branches. The project supports irrigation across over 6 lakh acres and provides drinking water to nearly 33 lakh people.

Galeru–Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS):

A key irrigation project for Kadapa, Annamayya and Chittoor districts.

Telugu Ganga Project:

Besides supplying drinking water to Chennai, the project continues to strengthen irrigation across Rayalaseema. Efforts are underway to improve water utilisation and enhance distribution, particularly in tail-end regions.

Polavaram & Pattiseema Projects:

Considered the foundation of Andhra Pradesh’s long-term water strategy, these projects aim to maximise utilisation of surplus Godavari waters, strengthen water availability in drought-prone regions and support future river-linking initiatives.

Vedavathi Project:

Targeted for completion to improve irrigation in Alur, Adoni and Mantralayam constituencies, strengthening water availability in western Rayalaseema.

Adavipalli Reservoir:

Planned to improve water supply to Chittoor district through the Neva branch canal, expanding irrigation coverage in the region.

Pothireddypadu Head Regulator:

Modernisation and strengthening works are underway to improve water conveyance efficiency and optimise Krishna water distribution.

Gorakallu & Alaganur Reservoirs:

Restoration and strengthening works are being taken up to enhance storage capacity and improve irrigation reliability.

Tungabhadra Dam & Srisailam Plunge Pool:

Repair and restoration works are being undertaken to improve operational efficiency and ensure uninterrupted water supply across the irrigation network.

Veligonda Project:

While primarily benefiting Prakasam and Nellore districts, the project is also expected to strengthen irrigation and water availability in parts of Kadapa, complementing the government’s broader strategy of improving water security across southern Andhra Pradesh.

Jeedipalli Balancing Reservoir:

The balancing reservoir forms part of the Handri-Neeva distribution network and is being strengthened to improve water regulation, storage and supply efficiency across drought-prone areas of Rayalaseema.

Reviving Infrastructure, Securing Every Drop

Alongside the execution of major irrigation projects, the coalition government has turned its attention to strengthening the infrastructure that supports the entire water distribution network. Officials argue that reservoirs, canals, regulators and lift irrigation systems built over decades require continuous modernisation if they are to deliver reliable irrigation to farmers.

One of the government’s biggest interventions is the *₹4,500-crore modernisation programme* for Andhra Pradesh’s lift irrigation network. The coalition government has prioritised the revival and modernisation of Andhra Pradesh’s 1,049 lift irrigation schemes as a key pillar of its Rayalaseema irrigation strategy.

Through upgraded pumping systems, energy-efficient equipment, improved power supply and systematic maintenance, the initiative aims to strengthen dependable water delivery across the region.

Once fully operational, the upgraded network is expected to provide dependable irrigation to more than *8.2 lakh acres, particularly across Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Annamayya and Chittoor*, where lift irrigation remains essential because of the region’s terrain.

The government has simultaneously prioritised restoration of traditional water bodies to improve groundwater recharge. Across Rayalaseema, 1,011 irrigation tanks have been taken up for restoration, with 530 already filled, helping improve local storage, recharge groundwater and reduce dependence on borewells during dry seasons. If sustained, the government’s integrated irrigation strategy has the potential to redefine Rayalaseema’s development trajectory and reduce one of the region’s oldest structural challenges-its dependence on uncertain water availability