The Communist Party of India  (CPI) State secretary Gujjula Eswaraiah has written to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urging the government to immediately take up and complete the reconstruction of the Annamayya Project in Rajampet constituency, Annamayya district, which was washed away during the devastating floods of November 19, 2021.

Mr. Eswaraiah reminded the Chief Minister that the collapse of the project’s earthen bund had left nearly 24 villages submerged, caused the death of 33 people, destroyed over 500 houses, and resulted in enormous loss of livestock and agricultural resources. In his letter on Friday, he blamed the previous YSRCP government and the rampant illegal sand mafia for the tragedy, claiming that excessive sand deposition and failure to clear sand dunes led to the structural weakening of the project.

Mr. Eswaraiah pointed out that irrigation engineers had proposed strengthening the breached portion and replacing the dysfunctional fifth spillway gate, in addition to adding 11 new gates. Engineering authorities had estimated a requirement of ₹801 crore, and the government had issued administrative approval for ₹787.77 crore. However, he said, the previous administration allegedly delayed the project citing “judicial review,” resulting in 22,500 acres of ayacut losing irrigation access.

He further stated that after the formation of the current coalition government, the design process had been restarted. The Water Resources department, with assistance from Central agencies such as CWPRS and CECIDC, proposed a reservoir with 2.5 TMC storage, 12-metre height, 14–19 spillway gates, and 8.23 lakh cusecs discharge capacity, reportedly receiving preliminary approval from the Central Water Commission (CWC).

However, Mr. Eswaraiah raised concerns that constructing a reservoir with these parameters could lead to submergence of 24,000 acres, including areas in Rajampet and Nandalur. He emphasized the need for 20 km protection walls on both sides of the river and the construction of right and left canals to supply water to downstream tanks and ayacut lands. He reminded the Chief Minister that during his visit to Rajampet in September 2025, Naidu had publicly assured that the Annamayya reservoir would be rebuilt as per expert recommendations. Yet, he noted, no tangible progress has been visible so far.

Mr. Eswaraiah appealed to the government to act with sincerity, begin the reconstruction works without further delay, and ensure that the project is completed swiftly to restore irrigation and prevent future disasters. A copy of the letter has also been sent to Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu.