Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to Release Polavaram Left Canal Water for Visakhapatnam and North Coastal Region

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to formally release Godavari floodwaters through the Polavaram Left Main Canal on September 2 at Payakaraopeta in Anakapalli district. The Chief Minister will perform the ceremonial Jala Harathi at Sitarampuram, marking a major milestone in solving the long pending water shortage problems across the North Coastal Andhra region.

The water is being lifted from the Godavari River near Purushothapatnam and carried through the Polavaram Left Main Canal network using the Purushothapatnam and Pushkara lift irrigation systems. This massive water diversion brings great relief to the fast growing Visakhapatnam region by securing a reliable water supply for daily drinking needs, farming, and industrial operations.

Under the state government plan, around 27 TMC of water has been earmarked for the Visakhapatnam region to meet various needs. About 5 TMC will be stored in the Kanithi Balancing Reservoir at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, while important local water bodies like Penjeruvu, Krishnampalem, Kondakarla Ava, and Gopalapatnam Ava will be filled to maintain long term reserves.

The project will also stabilise irrigation across more than 2.87 lakh acres of farmland in Anakapalli, Yelamanchili, and Payakaraopeta constituencies, filling 98 village tanks and linking local rivers like the Tandava, Varaha, and Sarada. In addition, over 9.2 lakh residents across the surrounding rural and urban areas will receive a dependable supply of clean drinking water, boosting both agriculture and industry in the region.