CBN Today in Anantapur to Review Handri-Neeva Works

Handri-Neeva Works:

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu aims to complete the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project quickly. HNSS project can be considered as the lifeline of Rayalaseema. The Chief Minister will visit Chayapuram in Uravakonda, Anantapur district to review the work directly.

Handri-Neeva Works:

The earlier TDP government had actively taken up HNSS project in 2014-2019 period. After 2019, work slowed down. No canal expansion or lining works happened under the previous government. Due to this delay,Farmers and residents in Rayalaseema faced many challenges.

The current coalition government resumed construction soon after coming to power. Chandrababu Naidu gave administrative approvals to restart the lining and widening of the main canal and Punganur branch canal. Work began with clear targets. Officials are now working to complete Phase I of the project by June 2025.

The work has gained speed over the past 5 months. The main canal and branches saw expansion and lining activities. In earlier phases, unlined canals limited water flow to 2,200 cusecs. Now, expansion work aims to increase capacity to 3,850 cusecs.

From January 2025, work on Punganur branch canal between Km 75 and Km 207 began with a budget of ₹480 crore. Around 15 km of work has already been completed. In February, work on the Kuppam branch canal started with ₹197 crore.

Phase II will improve water supply from the main canal to 2,520 cusecs and from the Punganur branch to 840 cusecs. New proposals include ₹590 crore for lining between Km 400–490, ₹291 crore for Km 490–554, and ₹362 crore for 123 km of the Neva canal.

After full completion, the project will provide irrigation water to 6,02,500 acres across Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor and Sri Sathya Sai districts. Around 33 lakh people will receive drinking water in 81 mandals.

Chandrababu Naidu plans to continue ground inspections to ensure quality and speed. The state aims to fulfill the decades old dream of Rayalaseema’s people with this major irrigation project.

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