Vijayawada, Jul 2 (PTI) Groundwater levels across Andhra Pradesh have increased by 2.34 meters this year, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said and expressed "historical satisfaction" over this.

Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Chandrababu said groundwater level stood at 11.11 meters (below ground level) as on today this year compared to 13.45 meters last year.

"This is an increase of 2.34 m over the last year. In the parched Rayalaseema region (comprising four districts of Anantapuramu, Kadapa, Kurnool and Chittoor) alone the groundwater level rose by 8.46 m compared to more than half a meter in coastal Andhra," he explained.

"I have taken up (water conservation) as a yagna. I am trying as Bhagiratha and I am very happy. I thought it would take a lot of time but due to good rains the results are visible this year itself. It is a historical satisfaction," Chandrababu observed, even as he elaborated on the various water conservation measures initiated by the government.

"As soon as I wake up early in the morning every day, my hand invariably goes to my iPad first. Only after checking the groundwater levels and the rainfall data, I venture into the bathroom. If my mood is not good, I will then take a teleconference (with officials and public representatives) and review the progress of works," Chandrababu said.

While the government targeted to dig six lakh farm ponds this year, work on 2,62,491 has already commenced.

Of this, 25,003 farm ponds were completed and the rest were in progress.

"We spent Rs 516 crore on farm ponds. Another Rs 1,094 crore was spent on 4,04,479 water harvesting structures while Rs 55 crore was spent on trees," he added.

"Earlier, there was a lot of resistance among farmers (to digging farm ponds). But now, six lakh farmers have consented to dig the ponds. They are a bit positive after seeing water. It is a programme for the farmers as it is they who will benefit from it, not me.

"I told them not to suffer damage permanently because of the reluctance to spare two cents (of land) for farm ponds," the Chief Minister said.

Supervisors of MGNREGS have been warned that they would lose their job if they did not meet the targets under farm pond programme.

"Every village has to dig 100 farm ponds. This will boost groundwater and reduce use of electricity (on borewells)," Chandrababu said.

He said water auditing would be conducted in village tanks using sensors. PTI DBV NRB DBS BAS