Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi: Andhra to release water for Rayalaseema on July 10

Uravakonda: Farmers have a reason to smile after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced to release water from the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) on July 10.

A total of ₹3,873 crore is being spent on canal lining and widening works over 554 km in Phases 1 and 2 of the project.

He blamed the previous government for halting the works for five years and affirmed that the NDA government has resumed and expedited the works. He emphasized that once Polavaram–Banakacharla is completed, droughts will become a thing of the past in Rayalaseema, and every acre in the state will receive water.

“I said back then I would turn Rayalaseema into a land of jewels. On March 11, 1996, I laid the foundation stone for Handri-Neeva in the Uravakonda constituency. This was a dream project of our beloved leader, NT Rama Rao, who initiated it when Rayalaseema was barren. He believed that even though only surplus Krishna river water was allocated, Andhra Pradesh could use that to its benefit. NTR brought in projects like Handri-Neeva, Galeru, Nagari, and Telugu Ganga to transform the region,” he said

“After I became CM, I implemented several initiatives for Rayalaseema. I always received a warm welcome here, with people cheering and expressing love. I resolved to change the face of this region. Farmers here used to grow peanuts with great difficulty, sometimes only two harvests in ten years. I compensated them for crop losses and vividly remember the days of severe drought when we even brought fodder from the coastal regions to save livestock. People used to call Rayalaseema a land of stones; I declared I would make it a land of jewels. And recently, the people crowned the coalition in the elections.”

He said he issued the GO within an hour of promising canal widening because water is key to development. “Within an hour of promising to widen the Handri-Neeva canals, I issued a G.O. Back in 2014, when we came to power, we prioritized Rayalaseema projects. When inviting Kia Motors to AP, they asked where water was available. Within six months, we completed the Gollapalli project and brought Kia to this drought-prone region. Did the previous government even spend a rupee on these projects in five years? Did they lay a single road or desilt a canal? Such governments provide no benefit to the people.” He said

Handri-Neeva is the reason behind your joy

Between 2014 and 2019, ₹70,000 crore was spent on irrigation across the state, including ₹12,441 crore in Rayalaseema and ₹4,200 crore on Handri-Neeva alone. The canal width was increased from 10m to 16.5m. Arrangements are being made to bring in 40 TMC of water. Packages 23 to 34 are complete. Gollapalli and Madakasira branch canals, as well as Cherlopalli and Jeedipalli projects, are complete. Currently, 512 agencies and 1,040 machines are working on Handri-Neeva. Areas like Puttaparthi now have visible water—a dramatic change from earlier drought conditions. With water, people have found new hope, and that is because of Handri-Neeva. The project spans 770 km from Srisailam to Kuppam, making it the longest in Asia.

Once completed, irrigation for every acre

Upon completion, Phase 1 will provide irrigation for 1,98,000 acres: 77,094 in Kurnool, 2,906 in Nandyal, and 1,18,000 in Anantapur districts. Phase 2 will cover 4,04,500 acres: 33,617 in Anantapur, 1,93,383 in Sri Sathya Sai, 37,500 in Kadapa, and 1,40,000 in Chittoor districts. These lands will be suitable for horticulture, improving farmer incomes. Israel pioneered micro-irrigation, and Andhra Pradesh was the first to adopt it in India. But in the past five years, no support was given for drip or micro-irrigation. AP gave a 90% subsidy, unmatched in India. If Polavaram–Banakacharla is completed, the state's irrigation landscape will transform. 2,000 TMC of Godavari water currently flows into the sea. If we capture even 300 TMC, we can green the entire state. ₹81,000 crore is needed for the project, and with determination, we can do it. Bringing water from Polavaram to Banakacharla will give meaning to my life.

PM Modi is a strong leader who can defend the nation

“I recently said in Amaravati that PM Modi has the strength to protect the country. India is united against terrorism. In Pahalgam, terrorists killed men brutally in front of women and children. PM Modi asserted that terrorism has no place in the world. Under NDA, Operation Sindoor eliminated terrorists. Pakistan continues its provocations. We are deeply saddened by the sacrifice of our Telugu son, Murali Naik, in national defense. We pray for his soul and assure his family of our full support. Many youth are joining the armed forces, and we must stand with them. The world has no place for violence—only for progress and prosperity,” Naidu said.

Welfare benefits across the state

All eligible citizens are receiving welfare benefits. 63 lakh people are getting pensions, with ₹33,000 crore allocated. “My goal is to ensure every family has a house, tap water, toilet, electricity, and a gas connection under Deepam. Over 200 Anna canteens have been set up. Under Deepam 2, three gas cylinders are being given free. ₹20,000 is given to fishermen, and 16,000+ teacher posts are being filled. Under Annadata Sukhibhava, farmers get ₹20,000 investment assistance in three phases annually. Under Talli ki Vandhanam, ₹15,000 is given per child in a family. Government services are being delivered via WhatsApp Governance. We are also taking strict action on law and order—anyone harming women will face severe consequences. Soon, we will launch digital health cards. The potholes on the roads reflected the previous government’s failure. The NDA government has filled them across the state,” he said.

Development is at full speed in Uravakonda

A textile park is being planned for Uravakonda. Funds will be sanctioned for a bridge near Gottipadu. Kotthalapalli lift irrigation will be approved. Compensation will be provided immediately for the Jeedipalli displaced families. The 40,000-acre micro-irrigation project will be revived. Works at Ramasagaram bridge, Jeedipalli, Bhairavari Tippa, Peruru will be prioritized and completed. The government will support the development of Chayapuram village.

P4 initiative to eradicate poverty

“I’m working on decentralizing development and lifting all from poverty. I rose step by step by seizing opportunities. Leaders like NTR, Modi, Ambedkar, Kalam, and Gandhi once came from humble backgrounds. Ambedkar went to London with support from the Baroda king, studied law, and drafted the Constitution. Kalam emerged as a proud leader of India with support from an Iyengar. The top 10% in society must support the bottom 20%. My goal is to eliminate poverty by 2029. On Ugadi, we launched P4. By August 15, we’ll prepare guides to take responsibility for 20 lakh families. Every individual must help fellow citizens,” said Naidu, appealing to everyone’s participation in this noble cause.

Parvati, resident of Sayapuram, selected for Bangaru Kutumbam, says: “I have four children, three of them girls. Two years ago, my husband suffered a debilitating electric shock and can no longer work. I support the family through daily labor. I request the CM to provide us with a house and employment for my husband.”

CM Chandrababu said, “The government will support Parvati’s family. A house will be built for them. A ₹1 lakh deposit will be given for each of her four children. ₹15,000 under Talli ki Vandhanam. Employment for her and a job for her husband will be arranged by our mentors.

Ananthayya, P4 Guide

I started my business with ₹5,000 and now run a company with ₹250 crore turnover. I’ve been in social services for 20 years and have transformed hundreds of families. One such person is current MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Prasad. We’ll help Parvati’s family completely. We’ll provide her husband with a security guard job in our company and take care of the children's education.

Ramakrishna, P4 Guide

I’m running a project with 1,500 students under AP Skill Development. I will adopt 15 families in Chayapuram.