Water Conservation – Vizianagaram Wins National Praise for Outstanding Water Restoration Efforts
VWater Conservation -izianagaram district has secured nationwide recognition after delivering remarkable results through Andhra Pradesh’s Jaladhara-Jalaharati programme, earning appreciation for its large-scale water conservation initiatives and community-driven implementation.
Vizianagaram has emerged as Andhra Pradesh’s leading district in the execution of the Jaladhara-Jalaharati programme, setting a benchmark in restoring water resources and improving irrigation infrastructure. The district’s performance drew national attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted its achievements during a recent edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat. He described the district’s efforts as an inspiring example of how coordinated action and public participation can contribute to sustainable water conservation.
Large-Scale Restoration Work Across the District
The programme was implemented under the leadership of District Collector S. Ram Sundar Reddy, with officials focusing on measures designed to improve long-term water availability. Key activities included groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, desilting of irrigation tanks, ponds and streams, along with the restoration of canals and water supply channels. These efforts have strengthened the district’s water management system while preparing agricultural areas for future irrigation needs.
The extensive restoration campaign also improved the capacity of traditional water bodies to store rainwater, helping increase groundwater levels and supporting farming communities that depend on reliable irrigation sources throughout the year.
Nearly All Approved Projects Completed
As part of the Andhra Pradesh government’s 100-day Jaladhara-Jalaharati campaign, Vizianagaram received approval for 8,995 development works. These included 2,549 water supply channels and 6,446 minor irrigation tanks spread across the district.
According to official figures, work began on 8,991 projects, while 8,973 have already been completed. The completed works include all 2,549 sanctioned supply channels and 6,424 minor irrigation tanks, reflecting one of the highest completion rates achieved under the programme.
Significant Investment and Rural Employment
The district carried out water conservation projects worth approximately Rs 318.57 crore. Of this amount, around Rs 21.40 crore was spent on canal-related works, while nearly Rs 297 crore was invested in restoring and improving minor irrigation tanks.
Beyond strengthening water infrastructure, the initiative also created substantial employment opportunities in rural areas. Through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the programme generated nearly 1.28 crore person-days of work, providing income support to thousands of rural families while contributing to long-term environmental improvement.
Improving Water Storage Capacity
A major component of the campaign involved removing accumulated silt from irrigation structures to improve their efficiency. Officials reported that nearly 109.90 lakh cubic metres of silt were cleared from various water bodies. Restoration work also covered approximately 2,090 kilometres of canals, while weeds were removed from nearly 82.48 lakh square metres of canal networks.
These measures have increased water storage capacity, improved the flow of irrigation channels and enhanced groundwater recharge. Officials believe the strengthened infrastructure will support agriculture more effectively during the coming cultivation seasons.
Joint Effort Behind the Achievement
The success of the programme was the result of coordinated work by multiple government departments, including MGNREGS, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, Irrigation and Groundwater. Public representatives, water user associations, field staff and local residents also played an important role in carrying out restoration activities across the district.
During Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Vizianagaram for reviving traditional water bodies and encouraged people in other parts of the country to learn from its approach to sustainable water conservation.
District Collector S. Ram Sundar Reddy said the Prime Minister’s appreciation was a proud moment for Vizianagaram and an encouragement for the administration to continue expanding environmental protection and water conservation efforts. He credited the achievement to the combined commitment of government departments, field-level officials, elected representatives and local communities who worked together to make the programme successful.