₹3,050-Crore Water Grid Gains Pace in Godavari Districts

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to expedite the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission projects in the water-stressed coastal villages of the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts, underscoring the need to provide reliable access to safe drinking water in regions that have long struggled with seasonal shortages.

Reviewing the progress of the Amarajeevi Jaladhara Mega Water Grid projects with senior officials from the Panchayat Raj Department and Rural Water Supply (RWS), the Deputy Chief Minister said the initiative would serve as a long-term solution to drinking water scarcity across the coastal belt. He emphasized that the government remains committed to delivering clean, piped water to every household in line with the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

The ambitious water grid, with a combined investment of ₹3,050 crore, is designed to supply safe drinking water to nearly 33 lakh people across the two Godavari districts. According to officials, the East Godavari project, estimated at ₹1,650 crore, will benefit around 20 lakh residents in 10 Assembly constituencies. The project includes the construction of two intake wells, access bridges, and water treatment plants with capacities of 111 MLD and 75 MLD. More than ₹151 crore has already been spent, while 182 kilometres of pipeline have been laid.

In West Godavari, a ₹1,400-crore project is expected to provide potable water to nearly 13.5 lakh people. Work is progressing on an intake well, an access bridge, and a 155 MLD water treatment plant. Officials informed the review meeting that projects worth around ₹270 crore are currently under execution, and over 400 kilometres of pipeline have been completed across both districts.

Calling for faster execution, Pawan Kalyan instructed officials to secure all pending permissions for pipeline works by closely coordinating with the Roads and Buildings Department, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Forest Department, and local authorities. He also directed the district-level project monitoring units to maintain continuous oversight of construction activities and submit regular progress reports to the state headquarters to ensure timely completion.

The Deputy Chief Minister said he would soon conduct field inspections of Jal Jeevan Mission works across the state to assess implementation on the ground. Stressing that quality should never be compromised, he said durable infrastructure is essential to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply for future generations.

Launched by the Government of India, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household while strengthening water security through sustainable infrastructure, efficient distribution networks, and improved source management. The Amarajeevi Jaladhara Mega Water Grid is among Andhra Pradesh's flagship initiatives under the programme and is expected to significantly improve public health, reduce dependence on groundwater and tanker supplies, and enhance the quality of life in the coastal region.