Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday urged people across the state to take part in a large-scale effort to conserve, store, and use water efficiently for agriculture, drinking purposes, and sustained economic growth.
He made the appeal while launching a 100-day water conservation action plan at Yadiki village in the Tadipatri constituency of Anantapur district, stating that his government is determined to make Andhra Pradesh drought-free by treating water conservation as a core mission.
The plan will be carried out in four stages. The first phase, from April 6 to 15, focuses on identifying works. This will be followed by administrative approvals between April 16 and 20. Execution of projects is scheduled from April 21 to July 9, with completion reports to be submitted between July 10 and 14.
Naidu said that 5,697 villages have been identified as facing groundwater stress, and the government aims to raise groundwater levels by at least 1.5 meters by filling tanks and improving storage capacity.
He added that the target is to ensure groundwater availability within six meters before summer and within three meters after the monsoon. According to him, groundwater levels have already increased by an average of 1.92 meters over the past 21 months due to conservation efforts and soil protection measures.
Highlighting improvements in Anantapur district, he said groundwater that was earlier available at a depth of 13 meters can now be accessed at around 11 meters, marking an improvement of 2.2 meters.
The chief minister said multiple departments, including irrigation, agriculture, panchayat raj, forest, and animal husbandry, will work together to implement the initiative, with water users’ associations playing a key role.
The campaign will focus on capturing runoff, storing surface water, and recharging groundwater through steps such as building percolation pits, check dams, and farm ponds, along with desilting tanks and canals, undertaking watershed works, and promoting sprinkler systems and micro irrigation.
Naidu described micro irrigation as a major success in the state, noting that Andhra Pradesh is currently spending ₹1,031 crore in this sector and leads the country in its implementation. He pointed out that widespread adoption of drip irrigation, particularly in drought-prone regions like Anantapur, has helped transform Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub, supported by earlier subsidies of up to 90 percent.
He also outlined the state’s annual water requirement at nearly 1,300 TMC, including 547 TMC for the Kharif season, 343 TMC for Rabi crops, 28 TMC for industries, and 158 TMC for drinking water.
Emphasizing the importance of scientific planning and integrated water management, Naidu directed officials to use satellite imagery and hydrological mapping to link water bodies. He also asked irrigation associations to prepare water budgets and conduct regular water audits.
Calling water security a shared responsibility, the chief minister encouraged farmers, irrigation bodies, gram panchayats and citizens to actively participate and turn the Jaladhara initiative into a mass movement. He stressed that water is a valuable resource and its careful use is key to prosperity.
