Godavari's New Path: Rayalaseema's ₹58K Cr Water Solution

The Andhra Pradesh government has redirected its focus toward a new irrigation project aimed at addressing drought conditions in the Rayalaseema region by utilising surplus Godavari water, moving away from the earlier Polavaram–Banakacherla project.

Valued at ₹58,000 crore, the revised scheme proposes to transport water from Polavaram to Nallamala Sagar, part of the Veligonda project in Prakasam district. Considered more cost-effective than the earlier ₹90,000 crore Banakacherla proposal, this plan also supersedes previous tenders for the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with pumping water to the Prakasam Barrage, linking it to the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal, and then channeling it into Nallamala Sagar. The government’s focus is on accelerating water delivery, minimising cost escalation, and avoiding project delays.

Officials noted that the Banakacherla phase may be taken up later, depending on the progress and outcomes of the current plan.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.