Amaravati, April 5 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state government will launch a 100-day special action plan on water conservation from Tadipatri in Anantapur district on Monday.
The program, titled 'Water Security – Responsibility of Irrigation Associations', will be implemented across the state from April 6, focusing on the conservation and protection of water resources through coordinated efforts of multiple departments.
"The state government will roll out a 100-day special action plan on water conservation from Tadipatri in Anantapur district tomorrow, with a focus on strengthening water security across Andhra Pradesh," Naidu said in a press release on Sunday.
He said water conservation should be taken up as a people's movement with the active participation of citizens, farmers, irrigation associations, and gram panchayats.
The CM emphasized that water security is essential for the development of all sectors and said the government is committed to making the state drought-free by improving groundwater levels.
Naidu said the government has set targets to ensure groundwater availability within six metres before summer and to improve it to within three metres after the monsoon season.
Directing departments such as irrigation, agriculture, panchayati raj, forest, and animal husbandry to work in coordination, the CM noted that irrigation associations will play a central role in implementing the action plan.
The four-phase plan, to be carried out from April 6 to July 14, includes identification of works from April 6 to 15, administrative approvals from April 16 to 20, execution of works from April 21 to July 9, and submission of completion reports from July 10 to 14.
A total of 5,697 villages have been identified as groundwater-stressed areas, and the government aims to improve groundwater levels by at least 1.5 metres by filling tanks and enhancing storage capacity.
Naidu directed the use of satellite imagery and hydrological mapping for scientific planning and interlinking of water bodies. He added that irrigation associations will prepare water budgets and conduct water audits.
Drawing inspiration from the Project Jaladhara initiative implemented in Annamayya district, he called for connecting streams and rivulets to maximise water retention and prevent flooding.