Initiate measures on war footing to permanently address drinking and industrial water requirements of Visakhapatnam: CM

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to initiate measures on a war footing to permanently address the drinking and industrial water requirements of Visakhapatnam.
He instructed officials to expedite the continuous supply of water through the drinking water supply canal from the Polavaram Left Main Canal to the Kanithi Balancing Reservoir. He also called for measures to ensure a regular supply of water from reservoirs to areas under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
Reviewing on the functioning of the Water Resources Department at his camp office on Wednesday the Chief Minister instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive water management plan to meet the state’s future requirements.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the plan should address the needs of all sectors, including drinking water, irrigation and industrial requirements. He directed officials to prepare a detailed roadmap covering everything from major irrigation projects to agricultural canals.
The plan should also take into account lift irrigation schemes, micro-irrigation, hydropower projects and pumped storage projects, he said.
The Chief Minister stated that Rs 35,000 crore was being spent on priority projects identified under the Irrigation Calendar. He directed officials to execute all projects strictly according to the timelines specified in the calendar.
Reviewing the progress of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) and land acquisition for the Polavaram project, the Chief Minister instructed officials to complete all project-related works by March next year. He asked senior Finance Department officials to ensure that there were no financial hurdles in completing the works on schedule.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to utilise water from the Polavaram Left Canal to fill reservoirs in Anakapalli district to their maximum capacity, wherever feasible.
Emphasising the importance of water conservation, Chandrababu Naidu suggested using social media to create public awareness about water conservation.
The Chief Minister called for taking initiatives such as Jaladhara–Jalaharati to the people on a large scale and explaining the benefits of groundwater recharge to encourage public participation in water conservation.