---
title: "Andhra Authorities Tackle Declining Tank Storage Capacity"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-tanks-face-declining-water-storage-yp0f0
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Society
published: 2026-08-14T01:30:37.024Z
modified: 2026-08-14T04:30:07.071Z
language: en-IN
---

# Andhra Authorities Tackle Declining Tank Storage Capacity

Officials in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district are addressing a significant reduction in water storage capacity of irrigation tanks. Concerns raised by farmers highlight issues like silt accumulation and alleged encroachments as primary causes.

## Key takeaways

- Andhra Pradesh officials are working to rejuvenate irrigation tanks suffering from reduced storage.
- Silt accumulation and alleged encroachments are identified as major causes for the decline in capacity.
- District authorities have ordered surveys and initiated steps for desilting and removal of encroachments.
- A significant shortfall exists between the designed and current storage capacity of Chittoor district's tanks.

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district are taking steps to address the declining storage capacity of local irrigation tanks. Farmers and residents have voiced concerns over reduced water availability, attributing it to silt buildup and unauthorized land occupation.

## What Happened

In May 2025, District Collector Sumit Kumar inspected four irrigation tanks in Gudipala mandal – Bangarappa Cheruvu, Reddamma Cheruvu, Ramireddy Cheruvu, and Narayanareddy Cheruvu – following appeals from local communities. Farmers reported that these tanks, once reliable sources of water, now hold less water due to accumulated silt and encroachments. The Collector subsequently ordered officials to survey encroachments, prepare estimates for desilting operations, and assess the connecting supply channels. Irrigation officials were authorized to utilize funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for these rejuvenation efforts. Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was directed to remove soil deposited near Bangarappa Cheruvu, which farmers claimed was impacting the water-spread area.

## Key Facts

- District Collector Sumit Kumar inspected four irrigation tanks in Gudipala mandal in May 2025.
- Farmers cited silt accumulation and encroachments as reasons for reduced storage capacity.
- Irrigation officials were granted permission to use MGNREGS funds for tank rejuvenation.
- The National Highways Authority of India was asked to remove soil affecting Bangarappa Cheruvu's water-spread area.
- Chittoor district has 4,121 minor irrigation tanks with a designed capacity of 15,133.73 million cubic feet (mcft).
- The current storage capacity of these tanks is recorded at 8,924.23 mcft, indicating a shortfall of 6,209.50 mcft.
- A revenue official noted that capacity decline is also due to siltation, damaged structures, reduced inflows, and catchment area changes.
- Of the 14 tanks once surrounding Chittoor Municipal Corporation, eleven have been fully encroached upon.
- Gangineni Cheruvu and Kattamanchi Cheruvu are reportedly contaminated by drain water.
- Kajuru Cheruvu's feeder channels have been shut for four decades.
- An NGO, the International Human Rights Protection Commission (IHRPC), filed a court case seeking protection for the buffer zone of Gangineni Cheruvu from encroachment.

## Background

The issue of shrinking tank capacity is a persistent problem across Chittoor district. The 2023 District Survey Report highlighted a significant gap between the designed and current storage capacities of the district's minor irrigation tanks. While siltation and encroachments are primary concerns, a revenue official pointed out that other factors like damaged infrastructure, decreased water inflows, and changes in catchment areas also contribute to capacity loss. The historical water network around Chittoor city has been severely impacted, with many tanks lost to encroachment or rendered unusable due to contamination and neglect. The functionality of feeder and surplus channels is also critical, as their obstruction can reduce a water body's effective size.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-tanks-face-declining-water-storage-yp0f0
Reported from: Multiple Sources