₹1,320 Crore Sanctioned for Irrigation Maintenance in AP, Says Minister Nimmala

The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up funding for the maintenance of its irrigation network, with ₹1,320 crore sanctioned for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) works over the past two years, Irrigation Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said. He also said ₹160 crore in pending bills had been released following the Chief Minister’s intervention.

The minister said the government was working to restore the irrigation system, which had suffered from inadequate maintenance over the previous five years. He said timely funding was being provided to address maintenance requirements across canals, drains and reservoirs and ensure that the infrastructure remains functional.

Ramanaidu said the government had restored the irrigation associations system, which had been discontinued by the previous administration. The move was aimed at increasing farmers’ participation in the management of irrigation facilities and strengthening their role in addressing local water-related issues.

He said irrigation associations were particularly important during water-stressed conditions and challenging weather events such as El Niño. With water resources becoming limited during such periods, greater participation from farmers could help ensure their efficient utilisation, he said.

The minister said the Chief Minister’s emphasis on farmer participation in irrigation management was yielding positive results at the field level. He maintained that involving farmers in the system would contribute to better maintenance and more effective use of available water resources.

Ramanaidu said only ₹200 crore had been allocated for irrigation O&M works during the previous five-year YSRCP government. He said inadequate funding had affected the upkeep of the irrigation network and resulted in several maintenance requirements being neglected.

In contrast, the coalition government has sanctioned ₹1,320 crore within two years, he said, significantly increasing funding for routine and urgent maintenance works.

The minister said essential activities such as canal desilting and repairs to locks, shutters and ropes had not received adequate funding earlier. Even minor maintenance works were reportedly affected, contributing to the deterioration of irrigation infrastructure.

The government was now ensuring that adequate funds were available for the regular maintenance of canals, drains and reservoirs, Ramanaidu said. He added that keeping the irrigation network functional and safeguarding farmers’ interests and irrigation security remained key priorities of the coalition government.