Amaravati, : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday has directed officials to restore 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes at an estimated cost of ₹ 632.07 crore and make them operational before the ensuing kharif season.
The chief minister asked officials to explore solar and hydropower generation opportunities over canals besides using available land. He also directed them to prepare a plan for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to lift irrigation schemes during the agricultural season and examine the possibility of selling surplus power to the grid. He directed them to complete all these projects within the next two and a half years.
During the review, officials informed the chief minister that 4,171 acres of government irrigation land could be utilised to establish solar power plants with a combined generation capacity of 903.1 MW. The chief minister further assured officials that funds would be released without delay for completing 36 irrigation projects identified as priorities by the government.
Naidu said integrating transport, power generation, solar energy and agriculture could create additional economic opportunities. Referring to major initiatives such as the Ganga-Cauvery river-linking project, he said a regulatory mechanism could help determine water allocation among various sectors.
These repairs will improve irrigation facilities for 7.4 lakh acres of land, officials informed the chief minister. He directed them to inspect the condition of the schemes at the field level, invite tenders immediately and begin repairs without delay.
Reviewing irrigation projects and lift irrigation schemes at his camp office, Naidu instructed officials to complete all repairs by June next year, an official press release said.
