Naidu Lays Foundation for Veligonda Feeder Canal Lining Works
25 Feb 2026 5:09 PM IST25 Feb 2026 5:09 PM IST
Following the foundation ceremony, the Chief Minister attended a public meeting at Markapuram Praja Vedika. This marks his first visit to Markapuram after the formation of the new district.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the feeder canal lining works of the Veligonda Project in Markapuram district. Aerial view of the ongoing Veligonda Project feeder canal works in Markapuram district, which CM Chandrababu Naidu has promised to dedicate to the nation by July.
Tirupati: Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday laid foundation for the feeder canal lining works of the Veligonda Project that would cost `456 crore, in Markapuram district.
Naidu walked along the feeder canal alignment with local farmers, interacted with them on the crops being cultivated in the region, and reviewed the canal lining works with officials.
Addressing a public meeting titled “Markapuram District Kala, Veligonda Tho Jalakala, Horticulture Rythula Jeevithallo Kalakala”, the Chief Minister said the state had faced destructive governance during the previous government’s term and sought public support for the process of reconstruction.
He said the Telugu Desam formed an alliance with Jana Sena and the BJP in the interest of the state and thanked people for giving it a decisive mandate.
The Chief Minister noted that the opposition could not win a single seat over a large expanse from Araku to the erstwhile Prakasam region.
Naidu said he had kept his promise by creating Markapuram district, ending the people’s hardship of travelling 150km to Ongole for their administrative needs. The completion of the Veligonda project would be another boon for the region.
The Chief Minister noted that he had earlier laid its foundation and was now having a repeat opportunity to complete it. “The project got stuck between 2019 and 2024. Claims of its were misleading,” he said.
The project, he said, would bring 4.35 lakh acres under cultivation. It would supply water to Giddalur, Yerragondapalem, Kanigiri, Udayagiri, Kadapa and Badvel areas.
He said the total requirement for the project was `9,081 crore, of which `5,451 crore had been spent so far, including the `484 crore on land acquisition and `184 crore on rehabilitation.
About `2,540 crore more was needed for the project’s completion. Some ₹540 crore had been spent in the past 20 months to accelerate the works. The feeder canal lining works launched on Wednesday were part of this effort, he said.
The CM alleged that the YSRC government spent only about`500 crore in five years and wrongly claimed its completion.
Naidu said the project would be completed in two phases. The Nallamala Sagar phase would be compleged by July this year, enabling dedication of the Veligonda project to the nation. While attention was given to Handri-Neeva last year, the focus this year would be Veligonda to deliver irrigation water, he said.
He stressed the need for increasing farmers’ incomes through assured irrigation and said Rayalaseema along with Prakasam and Markapuram districts would be developed through horticulture.
The Chief Minister announced ₹1,300 crore for the supply of Nallamala Sagar drinking water to households, `50 crore for a new Markapuram district collectorate building, and steps to provide safe drinking water in fluoride-affected areas.
He also said groundwater recharge was being enhanced to prevent floodwaters from going waste into the sea, noting that only 53tmc was required for Veligonda compared to large outflows from the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
Addressing a public meeting titled “Markapuram District Kala, Veligonda Tho Jalakala, Horticulture Rythula Jeevithallo Kalakala”, the Chief Minister said the state had faced destructive governance during the previous government’s term and sought public support for the process of reconstruction.
He said the Telugu Desam formed an alliance with Jana Sena and the BJP in the interest of the state and thanked people for giving it a decisive mandate.
The Chief Minister noted that the opposition could not win a single seat over a large expanse from Araku to the erstwhile Prakasam region.
Naidu said he had kept his promise by creating Markapuram district, ending the people’s hardship of travelling 150km to Ongole for their administrative needs. The completion of the Veligonda project would be another boon for the region.
The Chief Minister noted that he had earlier laid its foundation and was now having a repeat opportunity to complete it. “The project got stuck between 2019 and 2024. Claims of its were misleading,” he said.
The project, he said, would bring 4.35 lakh acres under cultivation. It would supply water to Giddalur, Yerragondapalem, Kanigiri, Udayagiri, Kadapa and Badvel areas.
He said the total requirement for the project was `9,081 crore, of which `5,451 crore had been spent so far, including the `484 crore on land acquisition and `184 crore on rehabilitation.
About `2,540 crore more was needed for the project’s completion. Some ₹540 crore had been spent in the past 20 months to accelerate the works. The feeder canal lining works launched on Wednesday were part of this effort, he said.
The CM alleged that the YSRC government spent only about`500 crore in five years and wrongly claimed its completion.
Naidu said the project would be completed in two phases. The Nallamala Sagar phase would be compleged by July this year, enabling dedication of the Veligonda project to the nation. While attention was given to Handri-Neeva last year, the focus this year would be Veligonda to deliver irrigation water, he said.
He stressed the need for increasing farmers’ incomes through assured irrigation and said Rayalaseema along with Prakasam and Markapuram districts would be developed through horticulture.
The Chief Minister announced ₹1,300 crore for the supply of Nallamala Sagar drinking water to households, `50 crore for a new Markapuram district collectorate building, and steps to provide safe drinking water in fluoride-affected areas.
He also said groundwater recharge was being enhanced to prevent floodwaters from going waste into the sea, noting that only 53tmc was required for Veligonda compared to large outflows from the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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