Irrigation Water to Peddagadda Command Area Through Pipelines

The M-CADWM (Modernization of Command Area and Water Management) scheme is being implemented as a pilot project in the command area of the right canal of the Peddagadda Reservoir in Andhra Pradesh. Under the project, irrigation water will be supplied to farmland through underground pipelines instead of conventional canals. In the first phase, 1,843 hectares in Parvathipuram Manyam district and 1,218 hectares in Vizianagaram district will be covered. The scheme aims to conserve water and benefit small and marginal farmers, with the Centre and state sharing the expenditure in a 60:40 ratio.

For the first phase of the Peddagadda project, tenders were invited for works estimated at ₹56.10 crore. After five rounds of tenders, an agency submitted a bid that was 14.88% above the estimated cost, and the state Cabinet approved awarding the works for ₹64.45 crore. SCADA and IoT-based technology will be used to monitor soil moisture and determine irrigation requirements. Once completed, the maintenance responsibility will be handed over to farmers. ₹20 crore has been allocated for the project in the current financial year, with technical support from Mahan Ventures.