Andhra government expected to make significant allocations for Neradi barrage to be constructed on Vamsadhara river

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The Andhra Pradesh government is expected to make allocations in the next annual budget of the State for the year 2027-28 for the construction of Neradi barrage across Vamsadhara River and ensure dedicated water facility for nearly 2.56 lakh acres of lands in Srikakulam district of AP, which has waited nearly 55 years to overcome water dispute with the neighbouring Odisha State.

According to BRR Vamsadhara Project Chairman Aravala Ravindrababu, the State government which had given an administrative sanction for ₹461 crores a couple of months back, may give additional sanctions in the next budget. “On the request from Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu, the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is keen to complete Neradi barrage within a couple of years. As a first step, it has given administrative sanction to ensure compensation for land acquisition and other needs,” said Mr. Ravindrababu while speaking to The Hindu.

Six days ago, the AP government proposed this project for optimum utilisation of water of Vamsadhara which flows nearly 82 km across Srikakulam district after flowing across 154 km in Odisha from its origin in Kalahandi district of neighbouring State. However, it was not taken up as 106 acres of land in Odisha had to be acquired for this project.

Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal, which was appointed to oversee the issue, has asked AP to pay compensation for the land in Odisha and construct the project. Although the order was given in the year 2021, the Union Ministry of Water Resources has not given its nod for the project till the intervention of Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr. Rammohan Naidu. As the Centre had given a notification recently, AP is all set to take up the project which might need around ₹1,099 crores. The initial allocation of ₹461 crore would ensure completion of land acquisition and beginning of the works. Mr. Ravindrababu said that the project would help farmers to grow three crops in a year in several mandals including Bhamini, Amudalavalasa, Srikakulam, Narasannapeta and others.