The Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 489.28 crore for the long-delayed Muktyala Lift Irrigation Project, providing new hope to farmers in Jaggayyapeta and Nandigama Mandals of NTR district.

The project aims to irrigate around 39,000 acres and supply drinking water to nearly 30 villages. It will be constructed on the left bank of the Krishna River near Muktyala village, four km downstream of the Pulichintala Project. Designed to lift 2.7 TMC of water at a discharge rate of 386.27 cusecs for 16 hours daily over 120 days, the project was initially approved under the TDP government in 2019. However, the YSRCP government later shifted the project to Vedadri and renamed it.

Despite a foundation stone being laid by former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2020, progress stalled. The project was revived with support from CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu. On July 18, it was included among 71 irrigation works approved for continuation.