Finish repair, restoration works by May-end: Naidu

Hyderabad, April 18 (INN): In order to enhance ground water table in the state, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday suggested officials to work on improving the ground-water level in the state between 3 metres and 8 metres in the next four years.

In a meeting with officials from the water resources, rural development, forest and Panchayat Raj departments today, the Chief Minister was informed that the average ground-water level in the state stands at 12 metres.

'This should be brought to 8 metres under phase I. Work on scientific methods to replenish our ground water levels,' the Chief Minister added.

Stating that the first priority under the Neeru-Chettu programme should be to repair and restore tanks, major, minor and medium irrigation systems and water harvesting structures, the Chief Minister directed them to complete these works by the end of May.

During the meeting, secretary (irrigation) Adityanath Das informed the Chief Minister that the department will complete 40 major and medium irrigation projects in the next four years.

The officials also informed the Chief Minister that they will take up construction of new water harvesting structures, rejuvenate aquifers, hold regular community water audits and promote sustainable water use.

'We will create an additional ayacut of 2.5 lakh acres for this Kharif season,' Mr. Das said, continuing that the department has set a target creating 25.6 lakh acres of ayacut area until 2019.

Interacting with ground-water department officials, the Chief Minister suggested them to ensure proper drought-proofing is done through effective water management.

In areas where the ground-water tables are low, officials suggested to the Chief Minister that they could work on storing water underground through various scientific methods. This method, according to officials, helps water percolate into nearby areas, eventually leading to an increase in the ground-water tables.

The government had earlier implemented this method successfully in Krishna district.

Now, the state government is planning to implement this through modern ways in an area surrounded by Sandstone (where ground water levels are low) in East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts.

'This could also be implemented in Rayalaseema,' the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister added that Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act (APWALTA ' 2002) could be amended to set the maximum ground-water level limit (at 8 metres) once Neeru-Chettu's objectives are achieved in phase-1.

Asking officials to identify the areas which have water availability at less than 3 metres depth, the Chief Minister said water supply to these areas could be reduced to arrest water-logging.

'With scientific methods and evaluation based on the water-table in respective areas, water supply has to be monitored,' the Chief Minister added.

Meanwhile, special chief secretary (forest department) Ashwini Kumar Parida informed the Chief Minister that they are taking up contour trenching in 5 lakh hectares of Sesachalam forest area where the Red Sandalwood grows.

This will be completed by June-end, Parida said, adding that every tree will be geo-tagged in the area.

Informing officials about Madhya Pradesh's effective water management systems, the Chief Minister suggested officials to visit the state and study how they have created models for best water resources use.

Aiming to make Neeru-Chettu a participative campaign, the Chief Minister said that all schools and colleges/universities could hold debates from May 1st to 10th on how to improve ground-water levels in their respective villages.

'We will give out a water report which will have details of the ground-water levels in each village. Through this, we will ask colleges to hold debates on how to better the levels,' the Chief Minister said.

Minister K. Mrunalini, Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao, principal secretary to CM Satish Chandra, Secretary to CM Sai Prasad, secretaries of Irrigation Department, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Forest Department were present at the meeting.