Srisailam, July 8,2025:
*Water is our true wealth…*
*I offered Harathi to River Krishna because I understand the value of water*
*It is a positive sign that Srisailam Project is full in the first week of July*
*I prayed to Lord Mallikarjuna to bless Rayalaseema to become a land of prosperity… With his blessings, the state will thrive*
*If both Telugu states utilise the water that flows into the sea, greenery will flourish*
*Let us enhance our groundwater and convert the land into a water reservoir*
*We will complete all irrigation projects in Rayalaseema*
*A blueprint for Rayalaseema’s development*
*We are implementing all our promises… Caste and religion must not hinder progress*
– Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at a meeting with water users
*Special prayers offered to Bhramaramba and Mallikarjuna Swamy at Srisailam*
*CM offers Harathi to River Krishna, lifts project gates and releases water downstream*
* “Our ancestors handed down ancient temples to us, but the modern temples that benefit everyone are reservoirs and water projects. God has given me the opportunity to build the highest number of such modern temples in the state. Water is our true wealth—it is through water that farmers’ hardships are resolved,” said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. After offering Harathi to River Krishna at Srisailam, he opened four gates of the project and released water downstream. Later, he addressed a gathering of water users.
*It is heartening to see a full reservoir*
“Today is a joyous day in my life. The Srisailam Project has filled up in July itself. Seeing the project brimming like a full vessel brings immense happiness. I offered Harathi to Krishna because I understand the value of water and to ensure there’s no shortage in the future. It is auspicious that the project is full in July. All Rayalaseema reservoirs are filled with water. The Srisailam Project can hold 215 TMC. Currently, 17 TMC of floodwater is flowing in daily. Even the Tungabhadra Dam is full,” he noted.
*Worship water like the Ganga—there will be no drought*
“I prayed at the temples of Bhramaramba and Mallikarjuna Swamy for my resolutions to be fulfilled. I asked for Rayalaseema to become a land of jewels and for the state’s prosperity. Water is wealth—with water we can create abundance. Srisailam is a sacred site, a Shakti Peetha. As long as Lord Mallikarjuna watches over us, Rayalaseema will prosper. When one hears ‘Srisailam’, both the deity and the reservoir come to mind. Just as we pray to God for grace, we must also revere water. In the past, Rayalaseema was written off due to drought and called a barren land. But NTR proved that with determination, anything is possible. I am marching ahead with the same resolve to transform it into a land of gems,” the CM said.
*Water to reach Jeedipalli in a week*
“Give farmers water and they’ll grow gold. For agriculture to thrive, water is essential. That’s why we prioritised irrigation projects. From 2014–2019, the TDP government spent ₹68,000 crore on irrigation, with ₹12,500 crore for Rayalaseema alone. The previous government, despite proclaiming ‘My Rayalaseema’, spent only ₹2,000 crore. Immediately after forming the NDA government in 2024, we allocated ₹3,890 crore for Handri-Neeva and began works. On July 11, pumps will be activated, and water will reach Jeedipalli by the 15th. NDA holds the patent on Seema’s irrigation projects—Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, Gandikota… all built by our government,” he recalled.
*Both Telugu states must prosper*
“I want both Telugu states to flourish. Even after the bifurcation, I received unprecedented respect. I served as CM for 9 years and as Opposition Leader for 10 years in the united state. After bifurcation, I became CM again. My dream is for the Telugu community to be number one globally. The previous government destroyed the state in five years. I’m fixing broken systems, but even 24 hours a day isn’t enough. Floodwater is being wasted into the sea. If used efficiently, it will benefit farmers,” the CM said.
*Polavaram is the lifeline for Rayalaseema*
“Polavaram will be completed by 2027. If I had continued as CM in 2019, I would have dedicated the project to the nation. Today, water is reaching Seema because of the Polavaram right canal. We are using Godavari water for Krishna Delta instead of Krishna water,120 TMC is being diverted to the delta and surplus water is reaching Seema. Polavaram is a boon for AP. Of the 2,000 TMC that Godavari discharges into the sea each year, if AP uses even 200 TMC and Telangana 100–200 TMC, both states will be prosperous. Telangana can use water upstream and we downstream,” the CM explained.
*Blueprint for Seema’s development*
“I have a clear blueprint for Seema. Nowhere else in the country has such road connectivity. Once irrigation projects are completed, we will turn Seema into a horticulture hub. In the past, people here ate millets like jowar and bajra. After NTR introduced rice at ₹2/kg, white rice became common. But dietary changes brought health issues. Now there’s great demand for fruits—Rayalaseema is ideal for horticulture. The drip irrigation policy introduced by our previous government was scrapped by YSRCP. We are now reintroducing it with 90% subsidy,” he said.
*Clarity on plans for each district*
“For the first time, industries are moving to Seema. Industrial parks are coming up in Kopparthy and Orvakal. We are producing power from solar, wind, and pumped energy. We are developing tourism too. I know exactly what to do in each district. Temples like Srisailam, Tirupati, Ontimitta, Kalahasti, Kanipakam, Ahobilam, Kadapa Dargah, Mantralayam, and Puttaparthi are great assets. Likewise, modern temples like Srisailam Project, Jeedipalli, PABR, Pennar, Chagal, Gandikota, Brahmasagar, Bhairavanitippa, Gollapalli, Adavipalli, Owk, Sarvarayasagar, Mallemadugu, Kandaleru, and Somasila are all treasures. I treat all these reservoirs as temples. Just like we pray to deities for protection, we must also pray to reservoirs to bless us with prosperity,” he said.
*We will complete all pending projects*
“All pending projects will be completed based on priority. Rivers must be interlinked—water must be brought from Vamsadhara to Polavaram and Polavaram to Banakacharla. That way, even if Krishna has less inflow, there will be no drought. Projects under Telugu Ganga, KC Canal, SRBC, Nagari-Galeru, and Handri-Neeva will all be completed. The state has a potential to store 1,004 TMC. Currently, 554 TMC is available in reservoirs. If we get another 450 TMC, all our reservoirs will brim. We must also promote dryland crops to boost income,” the CM urged.
*We are fulfilling our promises*
“We are fulfilling every promise made before elections. We are increasing revenue to balance welfare and development. No other state gives ₹4,000 monthly pension like we do. The previous government took five years to raise pension by ₹1,000. We did it in the first month itself. We are giving ₹6,000 to the differently abled, ₹10,000 to kidney patients, ₹15,000 to bedridden individuals. We’ve launched 204 Anna Canteens and will open 70 more. We will start free meal centres in all temples. As promised, we are giving honorariums to all mothers regardless of how many children they have. Farmers will receive Annadata Sukhibhava benefits. From August 15, women can travel free in RTC buses across districts,” he announced.
*Let us enhance groundwater and treat the land as a reservoir*
“To provide more welfare schemes, we must enhance our water wealth. I introduced water user associations, DWCRA, and education committees. We have 6,047 irrigation associations, 267 distribution committees, and 58 project committees. We will soon hold a meeting in Amaravati with all of them. We will guide, empower, and fund them. All water from tanks, reservoirs, and projects will be used. Groundwater must also be increased, and land must become a reservoir. Groundwater levels have fallen to 1,000 feet. That’s why we will entrust responsibility to water associations to revive them,” he stated.
*People are the real gods*
“If farmers step forward, we will provide solar pump sets under PM-KUSUM. The government will purchase any surplus electricity generated. Every policy I introduce is aimed at transforming people’s lives. I pray to Lord Mallikarjuna to keep our reservoirs full and water abundant,” the CM concluded.
