TIRUPATI: In a remarkable transformation, once considered the second most drought-prone district in the State, Annamayya has emerged as a model of sustainable water security under the district administration’s flagship initiative, Project Jaladhara.
From ranking 25th in groundwater availability, the district has now climbed to second place, a feat achieved not by constructing new irrigation projects, but by restoring, rejuvenating, and interlinking existing and defunct water bodies.
Following the directives of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, as part of the Swarna Andhra Vision-2047, the district administration, led by Collector Nishant Kumar, adopted a sub-basin-based scientific plan to ensure every drop of rainwater is harvested and optimally utilised.
At the heart of Project Jaladhara lies the concept of interlinking surplus basins with deficit ones within the district. Drawing inspiration from national river interlinking proposals, the district adapted the model locally by reconnecting smaller streams, feeder channels, and cascaded tanks particularly in the Cheyyeru sub-basin under the larger Pennar River basin.
Nearly 3.9 TMC of surplus water was diverted to deficit tanks in Rayachoty, Madanapalle, Thambalapalle, and other mandals. Authorities estimate that almost 90% of the district, barring a few rain-shadow pockets, has benefited from the initiative.
Through effective convergence of departments and utilisation of employment guarantee schemes, the district undertook an unprecedented restoration effort: 4,000 out of 6,000 defunct feeder channels revived; 1,700 under progress as well as 310 feeder channels excavated.
In addition 214 farm ponds constructed,102 trenches developed and 532 local streams rejuvenated due to this initiatives 962 mini irrigation tanks filled to 100% capacity and 3,089 tanks restored under conservation measures.
Scientific capturing of rainfall during the Mandous and Michaung cyclones further helped recharge groundwater systems. Surface water storage surged from 13.15 TMC in August 2025 to 48.86 TMC by December 2025 an increase of 35.71 TMC in just six months. Groundwater levels showed remarkable improvement.
From an average depth of 14.45 metres in August 2025, water is now available at 3-8 metres depth across nearly 90% of the district. Within five months alone, groundwater improved by 8.59 metres, reviving over 20,000 previously defunct borewells.
Compared to the Rayalaseema regional average groundwater rise of 3.6 metres between May and December 2025, Annamayya alone recorded an 8.7-metre increase.
Water security has directly triggered economic expansion. Horticulture area increased by 20,000 hectares this year, touching 85,760 hectares nearly three times the usual annual growth. By December 2025, horticulture generated an additional Gross Value Added (GVA) of ?1,634 crore.
Overall, officials estimate that the initiative could boost the district economy by ?1,100-1,170 crore this year through gains in horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and power savings.
Speaking to TNIE, Annamayya District Collector Nishant Kumar said: “Project Jaladhara proves that water security is not about building new mega projects, but about scientific planning and restoring what we already have. By interlinking sub-basins, reviving feeder channels, and combining technology with traditional knowledge, we ensured that not a single drop of rainwater goes waste. Our goal is to make Annamayya permanently drought-resilient and a replicable model for the entire Rayalaseema region.”