Nimmala Assures NDA Will Complete Veligonda By 2026
The minister maintained that the project still requires significant work up to the distributary canals. This will entail an additional expenditure of ₹3,000–₹4,000 crore: Reports
TIRUPATI: Water Resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said on Friday that the NDA coalition government is committed to completing the long-delayed Veligonda project by 2026. This will ensure water supply to farmers in the ayacut areas of Prakasam district.
Significantly, Ramanaidu travelled 18 kilometres inside the tunnel to inspect complex lining works. Later, he met Irrigation department officials, agency representatives and local farmers and reviewed the progress of various works.
The minister maintained that the project still requires significant work up to the distributary canals. This will entail an additional expenditure of ₹3,000–₹4,000 crore. Given the circumstances, he criticised former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for declaring the project as completed.
Ramanaidu explained to farmers the lapses of the previous government in implementing the Veligonda project. He told them that since the coalition government has assumed office, it has completed 2,200 cubic metres of concrete work at the head regulator and 3 km of difficult tunnel lining.
Currently, four gantries are executing 12 metres of lining work per day. The agency has been instructed to increase the number of gantries to meet the new targets. In the feeder canal, 28,000 cubic metres of hard rock has already been excavated against the 45,000 cubic metres.
The minister said tenders worth ₹456 crore for the feeder canal lining and retaining wall construction have been finalised and the work will begin this month. He said 600 metres of tunnel lining and gate installation works are being executed at the Teegalayeru canal. A 9.6-km permanent diversion road is being built due to submergence caused by the Nallamala Sagar, he pointed out.
Ramanaidu said they have repaired the damage caused to the feeder canal by Cyclone Montha. Dewatering of the twin tunnels has also been completed to resume lining works. He maintained that despite financial constraints, the present government has prioritised the Veligonda project for completion by the next year.
