Close to 220 minor irrigation ponds will be restored in SPSR Nellore district at an estimated cost of ₹355.19 crore and about 26,928 hectares of land would be developed through the RRR (Repair, Renovation, Restoration) of water bodies scheme, said District Collector O. Anand during a district level Implementation and Monitoring Committee meeting, at Collectorate on Wednesday.

The RRR is an ambitious Central government scheme, which is a part of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) under the ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ (HKKP) programme, providing financial assistance to States for reviving water bodies. Addressing the officials, the Collector instructed them to take necessary steps to develop the water resources in the district through this scheme.

He said that the main objective of the RRR scheme is to provide abundant water to the agricultural crops, and increase water storage capacity as well as the groundwater. He suggested the officials of District Water Management Agency (DWMA), Groundwater and Irrigation departments to work in coordination and implement the scheme effectively.

After developing the ponds, he advised the Project Director of DWMA to undertake plantation and walking track through the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme. He asked the Groundwater Department officials to provide the necessary technical assistance. He called on the authorities to work for the benefit of farmers, and increase water efficiency and groundwater levels.