Farmers and irrigation association representatives felicitated Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, crediting the Pattiseema project with strengthening water security and benefiting the Krishna Delta and Rayalaseema.
Amaravati: Farmers and irrigation association representatives felicitated Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, crediting the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project with strengthening the state's water security. They praised the initiative for enabling the diversion of Godavari floodwaters to the Krishna basin and described the Chief Minister as the ‘Waterman of Andhra Pradesh’.
Accompanied by Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, the farmers and irrigation association representatives visited the Secretariat and conveyed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for initiating the Pattiseema project ahead of the completion of the Polavaram project.
According to the press release, the project has enabled the diversion of around 500 TMC of water to the Krishna Delta over the past 11 years, supporting agricultural requirements and improving water management across the state.
The representatives said diverting Godavari floodwaters to the Krishna basin had helped conserve Krishna river water for use in Rayalaseema. They noted that the arrangement had opened up additional opportunities to meet irrigation and drinking water requirements in different parts of Andhra Pradesh.
The project was also credited with supporting agricultural activity in the Krishna Delta by improving water availability for cultivation. Farmers said the initiative had contributed to the state's agricultural prosperity while helping address regional water needs.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the primary objective behind the Pattiseema project was to reduce the hardships faced by farmers and create economic opportunities for the state.
He explained that diverting Godavari water to the Krishna Delta helped meet irrigation requirements while allowing Krishna river water to be conserved in the Srisailam reservoir and redirected towards Rayalaseema.
The Chief Minister said the results achieved through Pattiseema had given him considerable satisfaction. He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by farmers in the government's efforts to bring Godavari water into the Krishna basin.
By making better use of Godavari water, the state could conserve Krishna water and utilise it to meet irrigation and drinking water needs in Rayalaseema, he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of integrated water management in supporting industrial development alongside agriculture.
He pointed out that improved water availability had helped facilitate supplies to industries such as Kia in Rayalaseema. According to him, water security was essential not only for resolving irrigation challenges but also for supporting industrial expansion and economic development.
The farmers and irrigation association representatives welcomed the initiative and expressed their appreciation for the government's efforts to improve water availability. They said the Pattiseema project had become an important component of Andhra Pradesh's water management strategy by connecting the water needs of the Krishna Delta with those of Rayalaseema.
The felicitation concluded with the representatives reiterating their gratitude to the Chief Minister for the project's role in strengthening the state's irrigation and water security efforts.
