Telangana, Andhra Pradesh ahead of other states in saving water

Hyderabad: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states are ahead of other states when it comes to water conservation. While the Telangana government is implementing Mission Kakatiya to restore tanks in a big way, the AP government is implementing Neeru- Chettu (water-tree) and has completed the linking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers through the Pattiseema project. 

Under Mission Kakatiya the Telangana government is restoring 46,531 tanks in a phased manner. To increase the water storage in these tanks de-silting of the tank beds is being done to restore the original water storage capacity, strengthen the tank bunds to their original standards, and repair the feeder channels so that water flows freely into the tanks. 

Water retention of the soil will also increase thereby decreasing the number of wettings to crops. De-silting will improve ground water recharging capacity and increase the capacity of the tanks thereby increasing the availability of water even during the summer for irrigation and drinking water purposes. According to officials, so far 16,606 tanks have been restored across the state at an expense of Rs 2,972 crore.

Water conservation mission in AP

The water conservation mission is one of the seven missions constituted by the AP government. Neeru- Chettu is one of the programmes under the water conservation mission. 

The Neeru-Chettu is an inter-departmental convergence activity among water conserving departments like irrigation, rural development, ground water, forest and others. Under this scheme the AP government has sanctioned 76,530 works across the state and completed 33,558 works relating to water conservation. 

In addition to this, 15,450 tanks have been taken up for restoration and 11,234 completed. To complete the 33,558 works the state government spent Rs 2524 crore. 

The main achievement of the AP government is interlinking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers through the Pattiseema project.