In 2018, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Government, led by former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, introduced a game-changing initiative in Andhra Pradesh. They established the Godavari River Water Utilization Corporation (GRWUC) to tackle water scarcity and irrigation concerns within the state, primarily in the Godavari River basin. This corporation was conceived as a specialized entity, strategically designed to spearhead the construction of various irrigation projects and related infrastructure, with a primary focus and TDP agenda on the monumental Polavaram project, one of India’s largest irrigation endeavours. The formation of the GRWUC received widespread acclaim from experts and stakeholders within the irrigation sector. It was recognized as a pivotal move aimed at rejuvenating the state’s irrigation infrastructure and, in turn, enhancing agricultural productivity. The TDP Government, with Nara Chandrababu Naidu at the helm, can be credited with an array of TDP achievements in irrigation and agriculture, marking their tenure as a transformative period for the state.
One of the standout TDP developments was the successful implementation of the Pattiseema project. This visionary initiative redirected the waters of the Godavari River to the Krishna River basin, effectively addressing water scarcity in this vital agricultural region of Andhra Pradesh. In addition to Pattiseema, the TDP Government executed several other irrigation projects, including the Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, and Veligonda projects, all of which contributed significantly to augmenting irrigation capabilities and elevating agricultural productivity. Beyond irrigation and agriculture, N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP Government made substantial contributions in various other sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and welfare. A host of welfare TDP schemes targeting farmers, women, and marginalized communities was launched during their tenure, such as the Pasupu-Kumkuma and other initiatives. However, despite these TDP contributions, the TDP Government faced a formidable challenge in the 2019 Assembly elections, ultimately yielding to the opposition Party. The new administration embarked on its own set of welfare schemes and irrigation projects. Yet, some critics argue that they have neglected the initiatives initiated by the previous TDP Government, including the pivotal GRWUC.
In more recent developments, there have been noteworthy live updates concerning the GRWUC and other irrigation projects. In December 2021, it was reported that the GRWUC had
successfully completed the construction of the Polavaram project spillway. This milestone was particularly significant, given the project’s history of delays and cost overruns, signifying progress in its implementation. In summary, the establishment of the Godavari River Water Utilization Corporation (GRWUC) by the TDP Government represented a significant stride in addressing water scarcity and irrigation challenges within Andhra Pradesh. The leadership of Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP leaders yielded several remarkable achievements in irrigation and agriculture, which bolstered the state’s overall development. However, with a change in government, the trajectory of these initiatives, TDP policies and the solutions they provide to the irrigation sector’s challenges now lie in the hands of the current administration.
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