Nellore, July 15: The Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme dominated the political debate in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLC and Nellore District President Beeda Ravichandra accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of misleading the public over the project while defending the coalition government’s irrigation agenda.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP district office in Nellore, Ravichandra alleged that the YSRCP failed to obtain the statutory approvals required for the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme during its five-year tenure. He claimed the previous government approved the project technically and administratively in June and July 2020, only to suspend it in July 2021 before leaving it unattended for the remaining three years in office.
According to Ravichandra, the YSRCP government spent nearly ₹1,000 crore on earthwork despite not securing mandatory clearances for the project. He alleged that the party has now launched a fresh political campaign over the scheme despite its own record in government.
Coalition Government Accelerates Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme
Ravichandra said the coalition government has made irrigation development in Rayalaseema a top priority. He stated that ₹12,484 crore has already been spent on irrigation works across the region over the past two years.
He also announced that the government plans to invest another ₹10,000 crore during the next three years to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and improve water availability for farmers.
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Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme at Centre of Political Debate
The TDP leader questioned the YSRCP’s criticism of the present government. He claimed that although the previous administration announced budgets totalling nearly ₹12 lakh crore, it allocated only around ₹2,000 crore for irrigation projects in Rayalaseema.
Ravichandra argued that earlier TDP governments invested significantly more in irrigation infrastructure. He said the coalition government remains committed to completing long-pending projects that directly benefit farmers and drought-prone districts.
Referring to the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, he alleged that YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had earlier opposed the project but continued operating it after assuming office. Ravichandra credited Pattiseema with transferring 442 TMC of water over the past decade and delivering substantial economic benefits.
Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme Linked to Broader Irrigation Plan
Highlighting the government’s future roadmap, Ravichandra said an Irrigation Calendar has been prepared to complete 36 irrigation projects over the next three years with an estimated investment of ₹35,313 crore.
He added that work on the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) and Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) projects is being accelerated to improve irrigation coverage across Rayalaseema.
Ravichandra also alleged that the previous government neglected maintenance work at the Somasila Project during its tenure.
He credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with expanding irrigation, horticulture, industrial investment and infrastructure in Rayalaseema. According to Ravichandra, the region has attracted investments worth ₹4.58 lakh crore, creating the potential for approximately 2.76 lakh jobs.
He further said the government is implementing the Mission Rayalaseema initiative under the leadership of Nara Lokesh to fulfil commitments made to the youth and strengthen the region’s long-term economic growth.
Several TDP leaders, including Abdul Aziz, Dr. Z. Shiva Prasad, Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy, Kotamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy, Roop Kumar Yadav, Chenchala Babu Yadav, Jenny Ramanayya, Konduru Palishetty and Bhoolakshmi, attended the press conference.
FAQs
1. What is the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme?
The Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme is a major irrigation project aimed at improving water availability and agricultural development across the drought-prone Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
2. Why did TDP criticise the YSRCP over the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme?
TDP alleged that the YSRCP failed to obtain mandatory approvals, suspended the project after initial clearances, and did not actively pursue it during the remainder of its tenure.
3. What irrigation plans has the coalition government announced?
The coalition government says it has already spent ₹12,484 crore on irrigation in Rayalaseema and plans to invest another ₹10,000 crore while completing 36 irrigation projects over the next three years.
