VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat Raj Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday directed officials to accelerate Jal Jeevan Mission works in water-scarce regions, particularly in the coastal belt, and ensure that all key infrastructure is completed within the stipulated timeline without compromising quality.
Reviewing the progress of the Amarajeevi Jaladhara Mega Water Grid Projects being implemented under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts, the Deputy Chief Minister said the projects would provide a permanent solution to drinking water problems in coastal villages and benefit nearly 3.3 million people.
He instructed officials to prioritise critical works, including intake wells, water treatment plants, reservoirs and pipeline networks, while ensuring close coordination among departments to remove bottlenecks. He also said pending approvals from agencies such as the Roads & Buildings Department, National Highways Authority, Panchayat Raj Department and Forest Department, wherever required, should be expedited to avoid delays.
Officials informed that the works worth Rs 3,050 crore are under implementation in the two districts. The East Godavari Mega Water Grid Project, estimated at Rs 1,650 crore, aims to supply safe drinking water to around 2 million people across 10 Assembly constituencies. Construction of two intake wells, access bridges and water treatment plants with capacities of 111 MLD and 75 MLD is in progress, while over 182 km of pipelines have already been laid.
The West Godavari Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,400 crore, is expected to benefit about 1.35 million people. Construction of the intake well, access bridge and a 155 MLD water treatment plant is underway. Officials said that more than 400 km of pipelines have been completed under the two projects.
Pawan Kalyan said the government had launched the Amarajeevi Jaladhara project at Peravali in West Godavari district in December last year with the objective of providing safe drinking water to rural households across the twin Godavari districts. He stressed that Project Monitoring Units should monitor progress.
