Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to include 11 additional irrigation projects in the state’s priority infrastructure program, expanding the list of high-priority projects from 25 to 36. The Chief Minister also instructed departments to strictly follow the state’s Irrigation Calendar to ensure timely execution and completion of all ongoing works linked to water management and agricultural development across Andhra Pradesh.

The decision was reportedly taken during a high-level review meeting focused on irrigation infrastructure and long-term water resource planning in the state. Officials were asked to closely monitor deadlines, speed up pending construction activities, and remove administrative bottlenecks affecting project implementation. The move is part of the state government’s broader strategy to strengthen irrigation facilities, improve agricultural productivity, and ensure stable water availability for farmers in multiple districts.

Among the projects receiving attention is the Polavaram Project, which continues to remain one of Andhra Pradesh’s most significant multi-purpose irrigation initiatives. The project is considered crucial for irrigation expansion, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation in the state. The government has repeatedly emphasized the need to accelerate irrigation infrastructure development to support rural economies and reduce the impact of irregular rainfall patterns.

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Officials were reportedly instructed to maintain strict coordination between departments responsible for irrigation, finance, land acquisition, and construction to avoid delays. The irrigation calendar system is intended to create fixed timelines and accountability mechanisms for each project phase, including planning, tendering, execution, and monitoring. State authorities believe that adhering to these schedules can help improve efficiency and reduce cost escalations often associated with large infrastructure projects.

The Andhra Pradesh government has placed significant emphasis on infrastructure development since Naidu returned to office, with irrigation emerging as a central component of the administration’s economic and agricultural agenda. Several projects across the state are aimed at expanding cultivated areas, improving groundwater recharge, and ensuring better distribution of river water to drought-prone regions. Water management has also become increasingly important due to changing climate conditions and growing pressure on agricultural resources.

The inclusion of 11 additional projects signals the government’s intention to accelerate infrastructure expansion and strengthen long-term water security in the state. Analysts note that timely completion of irrigation projects could have a major impact on farming output, rural employment, and overall economic activity in Andhra Pradesh. The administration is expected to continue reviewing progress periodically as part of its efforts to push large-scale public infrastructure works through a time-bound execution framework.

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