Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reiterated that the government was committed to transform Andhra Pradesh into a “total drought-free” State in the next five years, for which, he said, the “full-fledged cooperation from the public” was inevitable.

The Chief Minister launched the ‘Neeru-Chettu’ (water and tree) programme at the drought-prone Gummasamudram village tank in Tamballapalle Assembly constituency in Madanapalle division on Thursday.

The highlight of the event was Mr. Naidu steered a poclainer on the tank bed, formally kick-starting the de-silting works.

Addressing an impressive gathering later, he said as part of the drought-free State plan, water levels across the State would be monitored. He said the massive project of drawing water from Godavari and Krishna for Rayalaseema would be expedited.

“I am committed to bringing drinking and irrigation water to Tamballapalle through the Handri Neeva project within a year. I am going to personally monitor the works and will be sleeping by the side of canals till the goal is achieved. All officials have been instructed on this,” he said.

Presenting an alarming picture of water table depletion in the State, Mr. Naidu underscored the urgent need for conservation of rain water through de-silting of tanks and undertaking repair to check dams and contour trenches in the forests. He sought all those who had encroached on the supply channels to various tanks to clear the obstacles voluntarily and join the mission for water conservation. “If you think planting of sapling and de-silting of tank are works of the government, we will not reap any results. You must be ready to take up Shramadan once again. We need great public awareness. Our lives are going to change only through water conservation. The Neeru-Chettu project is going to rewrite the history of water conservation and will be permanent in history,” he said.

The CM added his immediate priorities were Handri Neeva project, greening of Pattiseema through Krishna waters, Galeru Nagari, Thotapalle reservoir and the Velugonda project.

Delay in Polavaram

“The Polavaram project might be delayed further. But, we are going to proceed to with lift irrigation works to connect to Rayalaseema, and I promise I will bring waters to all tanks,. But, people should focus on conserving rain water to help improve the ground water table,” he said.

Source: TH