Conserving water resources will boost groundwater level, says Naidu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has stressed that only through comprehensive conservation of water resources can groundwater levels be increased.

Addressing the irrigation Water Users’ Associations, district Collectors, and officials via video-conference from the Secretariat on Thursday, Mr. Naidu reviewed water management, equitable distribution to tail-end areas, and efficient utilisation.

The Chief Minister said effective water management had enabled the State to store 82% capacity of the reservoirs and barrages this season. He cited the diversion of rainwater and upstream inflows into major projects, including filling the Rayalaseema reservoirs via the Handri-Neeva system. “Focus will now be on Velugodu, Uttarandhra, and Galeru–Nagari Sujala Sravanti projects,” he added.

Mr. Naidu directed that village tanks and irrigation canals be preserved and filled, with active participation from the Water Users’ Associations. “About 17% less rainfall has been recorded in the State. Every drop must be conserved, with water reaching all farmlands,” he said, adding that the State’s 38,000 minor irrigation tanks could store substantial volumes.

The Chief Minister announced district-wise ratings for water management, and said irrigation engineering systems would be restructured. He emphasised groundwater recharge as essential, warning that over-reliance on deep borewells would lead to fluoride contamination and high power costs. Efficient use could cut these expenses by 50%., he observed

Water Users’ Associations must also take responsibility for conservation, recharge, and coordination with officials, Mr. Naidu said, noting that coastal and certain inland districts needed special focus on groundwater improvement. Senior officials from the Water Resources Department attended the conference. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu joined the conferecne from Palakollu.