VIJAYAWADA: In a major step to support farmers ahead of the Kharif season, the government released water from Prakasam Barrage into Krishna Delta on Sunday.
NTR District Collector G Lakshmi Sha, Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad, and Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkatrao participated in the ritualistic release after offering poojas.
Officials have begun releasing 1,000 cusecs of water daily — 700 cusecs into the Ryves Canal and 300 cusecs into the Bandar Canal.
The KEB (Avanigadda) and Eluru canals will receive water in a few days, once ongoing Operation and Maintenance works are completed.
MLA Umamaheswara Rao stated that the early release will benefit around 7.4 lakh acres of ayacut.
He credited the initiative to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s proactive governance, aiming to prevent crop loss due to cyclones and ensure timely agricultural operations.
He assured farmers of timely fertiliser supply, procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), and swift payment transfers.
“The government is committed to supporting farmers in a big way,” he added.
Irrigation department officials including Alla Venkata Gopala Krishna, Devanaboina Venkateswara Rao, K Narasimha Murthy, P Rambabu, R Mohan Rao, and Ravella Ravi Kiran were present during the water release.