‘Vizag will never face any water scarcity’, guarantees CM

Visakhapatnam: Forthe next 30 to 40 years, sufficient water will be available for both domestic and industrial needs in Visakhapatnam, guaranteed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu when he came to Vizag to handover house site pattas to the beneficiaries. Vizag requires 25 TMC of water annually. Once the Polavaram project is completed, Visakhapatnam will never face water scarcity, the Chief Minister reassured.

In connection with this, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prepare both immediate and long-term strategies to secure the city’s water requirements at domestic and industrial levels. A high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Visakhapatnam during his visit to Vizag brought together senior officials from the Irrigation and Municipal Administration departments, district Collectors, MPs and MLAs. The meeting extensively reviewed the city’s present water resources, storage levels and capacities, supply limitations, alternative sources, pipeline networks and the feasibility of lifting water from additional sources.

The Kanithi Balancing Reservoir (KBR) is set to emerge as a key component of Visakhapatnam’s future drinking water security. At present, around 300 cusecs of water is supplied daily from the Yeleru reservoir to the KBR reservoir. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu mentioned that Yeleru currently has 10.2 TMC of water, including 6.1 TMC of dead storage, and steps are being taken to ensure a supply of 300 cusecs to Visakhapatnam by June 2027.

The Chief Minister directed officials to examine the possibility of increasing the supply from Yeleru to the KBR from 300 cusecs to 350 cusecs. He also instructed district authorities to keep motors and pumping equipment ready in advance so that even the dead storage of Yeleru can be utilised during emergency situations. With Super El Nino conditions and rainfall deficit raising concerns over water scarcity in Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up its efforts to ensure the city faces no shortage of drinking water and for its ever-expanding industrial sector.

The government is simultaneously exploring alternatives for reservoirs whose water levels have seen a dip. The Raiwada reservoir, with a capacity of 3.6 TMC, currently holds only around 0.9 TMC. The Chief Minister suggested examining the feasibility of lifting water from the Polavaram Left Main Canal as an alternative source for Raiwada.

Similarly, the Meghadrigedda reservoir, which has a capacity of 1.17 TMC, currently has only about 0.2 TMC of water. Pipeline works have already commenced to bring 100 cusecs from the Polavaram Left Main Canal to Meghadrigedda, providing an additional layer of security to the city’s water supply.

The Tatipudi reservoir, another important water resource, has a capacity of 3.3 TMC but currently contains only around 1.2 to 1.26 TMC. With water levels in the rain-dependent Raiwada, Meghadrigedda and Tatipudi reservoirs coming under pressure, the government has intensified its search for reliable alternative sources.

Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said the filling of Yeleru through the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme has played a crucial role in maintaining Visakhapatnam’s drinking water supply despite the prevailing Super El Nino conditions. The government is now looking beyond immediate requirements and planning for the city’s long-term growth, he informed

One of the major objectives is to bring Godavari water to North Andhra at a capacity of 17,500 cusecs through the Polavaram Left Main Canal after the Polavaram project is completed in 2027. The government is also focusing on major initiatives such as Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanti, aimed at creating a more dependable water network for Visakhapatnam and the North Andhra region at a macro level. Based on the Chief Minister’s instructions, officials are preparing a comprehensive long-term water security plan, including an examination of the possibility of supplying water to Visakhapatnam through gravity-based systems.

The government’s multi-pronged strategy, strengthening existing reservoirs, tapping alternative sources, expanding pipeline infrastructure, preparing emergency pumping systems and securing Godavari water, aims to create a resilient water supply network capable of meeting Visakhapatnam’s ever-increasing future water needs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasu Potnuru

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Potnuru Srinivasa Rao (Vasu Potnuru) is an experienced journalist specialised in politics, sports, crime, general topics and tribal stories. With 18 years of writing and reporting expertise, he contributes to The Hans India's editorial department as Principal Correspondent based in Visakhapatnam. Vasu Potnuru completed his Bachelor of Business Management. Earlier, he worked as a staff reporter in a leading Telugu vernacular. During free time, the journalist spends time listening to music, playing cricket and shuttle badminton. Vasu Potnuru, an accomplished writer, honed his expertise in various genres such as politics, crime, sports and general topics. He received an award from the HYBIZ Media Awards for the Best Rural Story in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Also, he bagged the Best Crime Reporter Award in Visakhapatnam. He serves in different unions of working journalists and contributes to service activities.

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