�Visakhapatnam:�Women, Child and Tribal Welfare minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani on Sunday released water from Thotapalli reservoir for filling minor irrigation tanks across 17 mandals in Parvatipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
This water will assist farmers in irrigating 84,033 acres of the targeted 1,31,221 acres of land across the three districts during the 2025 Kharif season.
The schedule for distribution of water shows varying levels of achievement against targets across the three districts. In Parvatipuram Manyam district, Thotapalli project is currently irrigating 5,238 acres out of the planned 13,684 acres. In Vizianagaram
district, the project is serving 55,443 acres against the targeted 78,563 acres. In Srikakulam district, Thotapalli covers 23,351 acres of the contemplated 38,974 acres.
During Kharif 2024 season, the project irrigated 79,383 acres across the three districts through both canal and tank systems.
Thotapalli reservoir irrigated the maximum number of 53,573 acres in Vizianagaram district, followed by Srikakulam 19,787 acres and Parvatipuram Manyam 6,023 acres.
For the upcoming Kharif 2025 season, the project aims to serve approximately 84,033 acres under the new Right Main Canal while maintaining 64,000 acres under the existing Thotapalli Regulator system.
Addressing a gathering after releasing the water, minister Sandhya Rani acknowledged the sacrifices made by Thotapalli farmers, whose donation of lands is now helping farmers of three districts to irrigate their lands. She directed officials to submit proposals for appointing luskars (irrigation workers) on a permanent basis.
The minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is willing to discuss Janjhavathi and Kotia border disputes with the neighbouring Odisha state. She assured that construction of the Puranapadu-Labesu bridge will be completed shortly.
Sandhya Rani requested sarpanches of gram panchayats not to hinder MGNREGA works. She directed officials to ensure that farmers receive fertilisers on time.
Speaking on the occasion, Parvathipuram sub-collector Ashutosh Srivastava, who is the ITDA project officer, reported that all land acquisition issues related to the Thotapalli project have been settled. He disclosed that several works have been approved under MGNREGA, while outstanding works too will be completed.
