The Aryavarth Express:
Amaravati, April 7: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate a fleet of newly procured Fire Services vehicles and modern equipment at the Parade Ground in Amaravati on Tuesday at 4 PM, according to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The initiative is part of a broader modernisation programme for the Fire Services Department, undertaken based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, with a total outlay of ₹252.93 crore. In this phase, assets worth ₹33.25 crore have been procured.
The newly inducted equipment includes:
25 Advanced Water Tenders
40 Quick Response Vehicles equipped with high-pressure pumps
50 Inflatable Rubber Boats
30 Breathing Apparatus (BA) Set Compressors
The Chief Minister will personally inspect the vehicles and equipment before formally launching them.
Funding for the modernisation plan has been shared between the Centre and the state, with the Central Government contributing ₹189.70 crore (75%) and the State Government ₹63.23 crore (25%). Of the total allocation:
50% is designated for modernisation
30% for expansion
15% for state-specific requirements
5% for training
The state has achieved the distinction of fully utilising 100% of the central funds allocated under this initiative.
Statewide Water Grid Vision Unveiled
Separately, CM Naidu on Monday announced an ambitious plan to develop a statewide water grid aimed at improving irrigation and ensuring long-term water security.
Speaking at the Jaladhara programme in Anantapur, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Polavaram Project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu. The project will enable gravity-based diversion of water from the Godavari River to the Krishna River, stabilising the Krishna delta and potentially extending supply up to Visakhapatnam.
As part of the broader plan, the government proposes diverting around 200 TMC of Godavari water to the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut. This water would flow through projects such as Nallamala Sagar and Veligonda Project, allowing water from Srisailam to be reserved for the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.
Naidu also outlined plans to interlink rivers across the state, ensuring surplus floodwaters from Srikakulam reach dry regions like Anantapur. He stressed the importance of completing key projects such as Vamsadhara River, Nagavali River, and Champavathi River, and noted that approval has been secured for a new barrage on the Vamsadhara River.
