Parliament Question: Gundlakamma Reservoir Project in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *249 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 GUNDLAKAMMA RESERVOIR PROJECT IN PRAKASAM DISTRICT IN ANDHRA PRADESH 249. SHRI YERRAM VENKATA SUBBA REDDY: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) whether it is not a fact that Gundlakamma Reservoir Project in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh was sanctioned nearly a decade ago under PMKSY-AIBP; (b) whether it is also a fact that the ultimate irrigation potential of nearly 32,500 hectares are supposed to be created, but Government is able to create much less than that; (c) if so, the reasons for delay and by when the project is going to be completed; and (d) the original estimated cost of the project and whether there is any cost and time overrun of the project and if so, the details thereof and reasons thereon? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI C R PATIL) (a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House. 1STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. *249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 IN RAJYA SABHA REGARDING “GUNDLAKAMMA RESERVOIR PROJECT IN PRAKASAM DISTRICT IN ANDHRA PRADESH” (a) to (d) Gundlakamma Reservoir Project in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh was originally approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 453.85 crore and taken up under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) during FY 2005-06. The ultimate irrigation potential of the project is 32,400 hectare. Gundlakamma Reservoir project with revised cost of Rs. 753.83 crore was included under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY during 2016-17. As informed by Government of Andhra Pradesh, increase in cost of the project was mainly due to the increased cost of land acquisition and R&R and price escalation. Total expenditure on the project is Rs. 673.46 crore and irrigation potential created is 26,784 hectares. According to Government of Andhra Pradesh, time overrun in completion of the project and delay in creation of balance irrigation potential is due to pending Writ Petitions in the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh. ***** 2