N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate newly acquired Fire Services vehicles and equipment at the Parade Ground in Amaravati on Tuesday at 4 PM, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. The initiative is part of a Fire Services modernisation programme worth Rs 252.93 crore, undertaken based on recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. Of this, equipment and vehicles valued at Rs 33.25 crore have been procured. The Chief Minister is expected to inspect the assets before formally launching them.

The new additions include 25 advanced water tenders, 40 quick response vehicles, 50 inflatable rubber boats, and 30 breathing apparatus compressors. In the first phase alone, fire tenders costing Rs 18 crore and response vehicles worth Rs 10 crore were purchased, along with boats and compressors costing Rs 2.49 crore and Rs 2.08 crore respectively.

Under the broader funding plan, the Central Government contributed 75 percent (Rs 189.70 crore), while the State Government provided 25 percent (Rs 63.23 crore). The funds are allocated across modernisation (50 percent), expansion (30 percent), state-specific needs (15 percent), and training (5 percent). Andhra Pradesh has also achieved full utilisation of the central funds, ranking first in the country in this regard.

CM Naidu has announced a statewide water grid plan aimed at improving irrigation and water security. Speaking at the Jaladhara programme in Anantapur, he said the government aims to complete the Polavaram Project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu. The project will allow diversion of Godavari waters into the Krishna River, stabilising the delta and potentially extending supply up to Visakhapatnam.

The plan also includes diverting around 200 TMC of Godavari water to the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut through projects like Nallamala Sagar and Veligonda, while reserving Srisailam waters for Rayalaseema. This is expected to bring irrigation to drought-prone regions. The Chief Minister proposed interlinking rivers across the state to channel surplus floodwaters from regions like Srikakulam to water-scarce areas such as Anantapur. He also highlighted progress on projects including Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Champavathi, along with approval for a new barrage on the Vamsadhara River.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.