"Kakatiya canal repair work is to be undertaken on a war footing," he said at Kothagattu village in this district.
Briefing the media after monitoring the status of the canal adjacent to Lower Manair Dam here, Rao said the canal needs more repairs and a sum of Rs 130 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose.
Tenders will be called for to start the work by third week of November, he said.
After carrying out the repairs, the water from the canal, which has a storage capacity of 8,500 cusec, would be available for irrigation, Rao said.
Finance Minister Etela Rajender and local MLAs, among others, were present at the canal site.