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Naidu sets June deadline for restoration of 789 LI schemes ` 632 cr required for repairs; schemes to benefit 7.49 lakh acres

K Varaprasada Rao Amaravati

ChiefMinister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to restore all 789 defunct lift irrigation schemes across Andhra Pradesh by June next year, ensuring water availability ahead of the Kharif season. He instructed officials to assess their condition through field inspections, invite tenders immediately and commence repair works without delay.

At a review meeting at his camp office on Wednesday, officials informed the Chief Minister that Rs 632.07 crore would be required to restore the schemes, which would provide irrigation facilities to 7.49 lakh acres.

Naidu directed that the Jalaharati Corporation be entrusted with monitoring and maintaining the schemes and asked officials to establish a dedicated division within the corporation.

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