CM Chandrababu Naidu to Inaugurate Handri-Neeva Phase-1 Canal Expansion on July 17

Quick Summary

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to release water from the expanded Phase-1 canal of the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project on july 17, at Malyala Pumping station in Nandyal district.
• The capacity of HNSS Phase-1 canal was increased from 2,200 cusecs to 3,850 cusecs through a ₹696 crore expansion project.
• Objective: Address drinking water and irrigation needs in rayalaseema region including parts of kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, and kadapa districts.
• Benefits: New canal could irrigate 6 lakh acres and provide drinking water to approximately 33 lakh people once fully operational (Phases 1 & 2).

– Specific allocations under phase-1 include irrigation for areas in Nandyal (2,906 acres), Kurnool (77,094 acres), and Anantapur (1.18 lakh acres). Under Phase-2: Anantapur (2.27 lakh acres), Kadapa (37,500 acres), and Chittoor (1.40 lakh acres).
– Capacity will support full utilization of the project’s allocated water limit – reportedly for the first time in over a decade.

• Government completed all related works along a stretch spanning 216 km within three months as April 2025; aims to finish remaining Phase-2 projects by the end of July.
• Total investment on Phases 1 & 2 is marked at ₹3,890 crore.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The completion and launch of the expanded HNSS canal marks significant progress toward ensuring reliable access to drinking water resources and lasting agriculture for Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region – an area historically prone to drought conditions due to limited natural rainfall availability. Increasing capacity by nearly double highlights both governmental commitment toward rural development as well as advanced execution efficiencies demonstrated by completing pivotal sections within tight timelines over three months during challenging conditions.

With irrigation coverage set for both agricultural productivity boosts alongside assurance facilitating direct residential household benefits-project contributes larger socioeconomic uplifting signals via interconnected reservoirs sources notably Jeedipalli reservoir influences extending broad regional implications stretching aerial municipalities rendered Ayacut usages forecasted phase-limit expansiable beyond future applicability governance prioritization advancements.

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