The Pulivendula Mega Water Grid Project has once again triggered a political credit controversy in Andhra Pradesh, with the YSRCP and the ruling coalition government making different claims over its origin, progress and implementation.
The project, estimated to cost around Rs 480 crore, was taken up under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the objective of providing drinking water to nearly 5.5 lakh people across seven mandals in the Pulivendula region.
YS Jagan Launched Pulivendula Water Grid Project in 2021
The Pulivendula Mega Water Grid Project was originally launched during the tenure of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Jagan laid the foundation stone for the project in 2021.
According to the YSRCP and the construction agency associated with the project, around 80% of the works had already been completed by the time the government changed in 2024.
The YSRCP has therefore questioned claims that the present government was primarily responsible for taking the project forward.
Project Progress Reaches 96% Under Coalition Government
Official figures cited in the latest discussion indicate that the project progressed from around 80% completion to 96% during the two-and-a-half years of the coalition government.
This means that approximately 16 percentage points of work were completed during the current government’s tenure, while around 4% of the overall project remains to be completed.
The figures have become a key point in the ongoing political debate over who should receive credit for the Pulivendula drinking water project.
Pawan Kalyan’s Claims Questioned
Against this backdrop, questions have been raised over Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s claims regarding the project’s implementation and progress.
Critics argue that if nearly 80% of the project had already been completed before the change of government, it would be difficult to attribute the project’s overall progress to the current administration.
The YSRCP has accused Pawan Kalyan of attempting to undermine the previous government’s contribution to the project while seeking political credit for its completion.
Credit War Over Pulivendula Water Project
The controversy has now turned into a broader credit war over the Pulivendula Mega Water Grid Project. The opposition argues that the project’s original foundation and substantial portion of the work belong to the previous YSRCP government.
The ruling coalition, meanwhile, has highlighted the progress made after assuming office.
With the project now reportedly at 96% completion, the political debate is likely to continue until the remaining works are completed and the drinking water network becomes fully operational.
