Nimmala Unhappy With Delay in Veligonda Project Works

Vijayawada: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu expressed his dissatisfaction over the delay in completing the 432-metre lining work of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project. Though it had been scheduled to be completed in April, only 72 metres of work has been completed so far.

The minister reviewed the progress of Veligonda Project with irrigation officials, including chief engineer M. Venkateswara Rao. He emphasised on the urgency of accelerating the work on Veligonda Tunnel-2, including the benching and lining tasks, if they are to meet the target of completing the project by June 2026, as set by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

With regard to the tunnel boring machine (TBM) that has remained stuck in Tunnel-2, Ramanaidu announced the formation of a committee to determine the machine's value on its removal.

He informed officials that the cabinet has approved Rs 106.39 crore for critical tasks related to Package-2 and Package-4 of the Veligonda project. The cabinet also green lighted works related to the feeder canal, headworks of the Teegaleru canal and the head regulator works for the Eastern Main Canal.