The Andhra Pradesh government has revived the Handri Neeva lift irrigation scheme, providing a major boost to drinking water supply and irrigation in the Tirupati region. The project aims to bring Krishna river water to the Kalyani dam, ensuring a reliable and permanent water source for Tirumala and Tirupati, while also supporting irrigation in parts of the erstwhile Chittoor district.
Under the revived plan, water will be lifted from the Neeva branch canal and conveyed to the Kalyani dam through a dedicated channel. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project on January 13 at the Moolapalle tank during his Sankranti visit to Naravaripalle.
Krishna waters have already reached Kuppam through the Handri Neeva Kuppam branch canal. In August 2025, the Chief Minister had announced the extension of the Neeva branch canal to additional regions, a promise that is now being implemented. The government has allocated Rs 126 crore for lifting water from the Neeva branch canal to the Kalyani dam.
The Handri Neeva main canal, with a total length of 554 kilometres, terminates at the Adavipalle reservoir in KV Palle mandal. From there, the Punganur and Kuppam branch canals diverge. The Neeva branch canal extends about 122 kilometres up to Chittoor and is designed to cater to both drinking water and irrigation needs, stabilising nearly 50,000 acres of ayacut.
At the 53 kilometre point of the Neeva branch canal, water will be lifted by around 10 metres and transported through a 33 kilometre long channel to the Kalyani dam. Along this route, water will also be supplied to tanks located at Kanithamadhugu, Kondareddikandriga, KR Kandriga, Nagapatla and Moolapalle in Chandragiri mandal, providing irrigation to about 1,150 acres. The system is designed to convey nearly 450 million cubic feet of water.
Originally proposed in 2014, the project was shelved following a change in government. It has now been revived by the present coalition government. Irrigation department officials said the scheme would become operational once water reaches the Adavipalle reservoir through the main canal.
Including canal resection, lining and lift infrastructure, the total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1,329 crore. The government expects the work to be completed within two years.
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