Collector A. Shyam Prasad addressing a review meeting on ‘Jaladhara 2.0’ works at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT
Sri Sathya Sai District Collector A. Shyam Prasad directed the Irrigation and District Water Management Authority (DWMA) officials on Tuesday to intensify the ‘Jaladhara-Jalaharathi 2.0’ programme as a continuous initiative to improve groundwater levels and prevent water scarcity.Reviewing the programme’s progress at the Collectorate, Mr. Shyam Prasad said officials should complete repairs to all tanks, ponds and canals on a war footing, particularly in light of the prevailing El Niño conditions and the possibility of upcoming rains.Against a target of 7,357 works across the district, 5,200 works have already been sanctioned, with 1,784 currently under way in the field at an estimated cost of ₹38.13 crore. Proposals for another 424 works have been prepared in Mudigubba, Lepakshi, Mallacheruvu, Roddam and Hindupur mandals. These include farm ponds, trenches, sunken pits and community pasture development.The Collector asked DWMA officials to empower more workers under the rural employment guarantee scheme and accelerate water conservation works. Desilting, construction of check dams, and restoration of tanks were among the activities to be prioritised, he said.Calling the officials present as “water-providing officers”, Mr. Shyam Prasad said their primary responsibility was to identify areas facing water requirements and take measures to improve groundwater availability. He stressed that the district should face no shortage of drinking or irrigation water. Published - August 25, 2026 06:42 pm IST
