Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiling a plaque, marking the release of the Godavari waters to Anakapalli district, at Payakaraopeta on Wednesday.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday released the Godavari water to the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh through the Polavaram Left Canal system, strengthening the irrigation and drinking water supply to the region.The Chief Minister released the water at the canal cross-regulator of Thandava reservoir at at Payakaraopeta in Anakapalli district. Mr. Naidu paid his respects to the gushing water before releasing it.The project, built at a cost of ₹4,192 crore, is expected to transform the agricultural and industrial prospects of four districts. The Godavari water will provide irrigation to 2.87 lakh acres and drinking water to around 90 lakh people.The project will also supply water to 110 village tanks in Anakapalli district and help stabilise 1.48 lakh acres of Pushkara ayacut. Dedicated water supplies have also been planned for the Yeleru, Pampa, Thandava, Varaha and Mamidigedda river basins.Mr. Naidu unveiled a commemorative plaque at Payakaraopeta in the presence of Ministers Nimmala Ramanaidu, Vangalapudi Anitha and Kollu Ravindra, legislators Konathala Ramakrishna and Panchakarla Ramesh Babu, and BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav.The Chief Minister later walked barefoot with the local farmers along the newly filled canal. He invited a veteran farmer to switch on the system that released water into the local feeder channels.“Generations waited for the Godavari water. Today our parched lands have finally got water, ending decades of waiting,” said Ch. Satyanarayana of Payakaraopeta.“Rice fields used to dry up mid-season. But this canal brings a permanent solution to prevent crop failures,” said V. Parvati of Thandava.Around 23.44 TMC of Godavari water has been earmarked for the agricultural regions as well as the industrial requirements of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli.With the waters now flowing into the northern districts, a long-standing demand for a dependable Godavari water supply has moved closer to reality, bringing fresh hope to farmers and residents of Uttarandhra. Published - September 02, 2026 08:15 pm IST