Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu today unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the first phase of the Veligonda Irrigation Project and dedicated the project to the nation. The project envisages diverting Krishna River water from the Srisailam Reservoir to the Nallamala Sagar through gravity, from where the water will be distributed through a network of canals to meet irrigation and drinking water requirements.

 

Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the first phase of the Veligonda Project has been completed at a cost of 7,983 crore rupees, out of the total estimated project cost of 10,200 crore rupees. He said twin tunnels extending over 18.8 kilometres and feeder canal works covering 21.8 kilometres have been completed under the first phase. Mr Naidu said drinking water would be supplied to every household through tap connections from the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.

 

He said compensation amounting to 768 crore rupees had been provided to 6,206 displaced families within 48 days. He added that Markapuram has been included in the proposed one-lakh-crore-rupee Global Horticulture Hub project, which is scheduled to be taken up in September. He expressed confidence that the region, which has remained backwards for a long time, would develop rapidly and compete with neighbouring districts. He further announced that the government would proceed with the second phase of the Veligonda Project and complete it by 2028.

 

The Veligonda Project is expected to be a major milestone in the development of Markapuram district by addressing its longstanding water requirements and providing relief from drought conditions. Under the first phase, 10.70 TMC of Krishna River water will be stored in the Nallamala Sagar reservoir. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to one lakh 19 thousand acres and drinking water to approximately four lakh people.