In Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, officials are grappling with a pressing issue: the diminishing capacity of irrigation tanks. During a recent inspection of four tanks in Gudipala mandal,District Collector Sumit Kumar was confronted by farmers who voiced their frustrations over the shrinking water storage due to silt buildup and encroachment .
Farmers like P. Rangaiah, 48, expressed their concerns directly to the Collector, highlighting the vulnerability of their livelihoods amid erratic rainfall patterns. "The tank used to hold water for much longer. With silt accumulating and parts of the tank area being occupied,the storage capacity has been reduced," Rangaiah explained,emphasizing their reliance on borewells when the tanks fail to fill.
In response, Kumar instructed officials to survey the encroachments, prepare estimates for desilting,and assess the supply channels that connect these vital water bodies. The irrigation department received the green light to utilize funds from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for these efforts. Additionally, National Highways Authority of India was tasked with removing soil deposited near Bangarappa Cheruvu during expressway construction,which farmers claimed had adversely affected the water spread area.
The situation in Gudipala reflects a broader crisis in Chittoor,where the 2023 District Survey Report identified 4,121 minor irrigation tanks. These tanks, originally designed to hold combined capacity of 15,133.73 million cubic feet (mcft),now only manage 8,924.23 mcft,revealing a staggering shortfall of 6,209.50 mcft.
A revenue official in Nagari clarified that decline in storage capacity is not solely due to encroachment . Factors such as siltation,damaged structures, reduced inflows, and changes in catchment areas also contribute to the problem. The gap between the designed capacity and the current storage is significant,underscoring the urgent need for action.
Chittoor Municipal Corporation, once surrounded by 14 tanks that provided drinking water,now faces a grim reality. Eleven of these tanks have been completely encroached upon, while others, like Gangineni Cheruvu and Kattamanchi Cheruvu,have been rendered unusable due to contamination from drainage. Kajuru Cheruvu, located on the Chittoor-Palamaner road, has suffered from neglect, with its feeder channels blocked for decades.
Residents are increasingly vocal about deteriorating condition of Gangineni Cheruvu . Ulaganathan, a local, lamented, "Gangineni Cheruvu has changed considerably over the years. Wastewater, weeds,and garbage have affected water body,while the surrounding area has become increasingly built up."
Municipal officials pointed out that the problem extends beyond the tanks themselves. Feeder channels, surplus channels,and drainage routes play crucial roles in managing the flow of rainwater. Any blockage can significantly alter size and functionality of a water body,even if its recorded land area remains unchanged.
In a legal effort to protect Gangineni Cheruvu,the International Human Rights Protection Commission (IHRPC),based in Anantapur,has approached the Chittoor district court. They seek to safeguard buffer zone from encroachment, citing extensive illegal occupation along the Deer Park side and Vellore Road . R.K . Shobha Rani, IHRPC general secretary, noted that the area has shrunk from over 80 acres to less than half due to relentless encroachments.
Agarampalli Ayacut Cheruvu is another case in point. In a 2025 Andhra Pradesh High Court proceeding,farmers identified encroachments affecting the tank's storage. They claimed that 16 acres had been occupied,impacting both water storage and irrigation. Despite repeated appeals to authorities since 2007, the situation remains unresolved.
Concerns extend to the Neeva River, which has seen significant narrowing due to encroachments. Residents regard this as a critical public safety issue,particularly in light of past flooding. Somasekhar,a local resident,recalled October 2017 floods that submerged numerous colonies, attributing the disaster to encroachments along riverbed.
In 2022, over 300 families were reported living along the banks of Neeva River,with many seeking housing solutions from the district administration. Andhra Pradesh High Court intervened in 2024,directing the Chittoor District administration to prevent unauthorized sand mining in the riverbed.
Residents advocate for a thorough survey of the Neeva River, urging officials to compare its original and current alignment and width . They stress that every encroachment must be mapped and legally examined to ensure flood safety in Chittoor.
In the Kuppam and Palamaner revenue divisions,similar encroachments threaten the effective use of water resources in this drought-prone region. Although comprehensive figures on encroachments are lacking,the issue is critical as irrigation infrastructure expands. Farmers like Manikyam from Gudipala mandal lament that many tanks are drying up due to a lack of rainfall and encroachments on feeder channels.
Despite these challenges, municipal authorities have begun funding initiatives aimed at rejuvenating water bodies through urban infrastructure programs across Chittoor district. The AMRUT 2.0 scheme is part of this effort,aiming to restore the functionality of these essential water resources .
