On 2 January, 2017, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, inaugurated the Muchumarri lift irrigation scheme at Muchumarri in Pagidyala mandal, Kurnool district, in Andhra Pradesh.
The CM released 474 cu from the Handri Neeva project to KC Canal. The scheme was proposed to pump water from 798 ft in the Srisailam reservoir, under Muchumarri scheme, to fulfill the requirement of 49,440 acre of ayacut under KC Canal.
The CM also pledged to formulate a plan to draw water from the Pothireddipadu head regulator at 834 ft at Malyala, 854 ft in Srisailam reservoir, and from the Muchumarri scheme to fulfill the needs of Srisailam Right Branch Canal, KC Canal and the Kundu river, and eliminate the drought from Rayalaseema.
He also pledged to release water from the Gandikota reservoir to the Chitravathi project in Pulivendula, Kadapa district, on 11 January, 2017.
Under the Muchumarri scheme, four pumps will be ready by March, while under the Handri Neeva project, 12 pumps will be operated at Malyala.
The CM also said that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the problem in acquiring 39 tmcft from the Tungabhadra dam. The first phase of the Polavaram project will be completed by 2018.