Ramanaidu Inspects Veligonda Works For Inauguration

NELLORE: Water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Tuesday night inspected arrangements for the August 31 inauguration of the Veligonda project and reviewed the installation of regulator gates at the feeder canal, as well as arrangements for Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Jalaharathi and the public meeting.

Ramanaidu said the project was being realised after three decades and credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts and the sacrifices of 7,000 displaced families.

“Their sacrifice will enable irrigation to lakhs of acres and provide drinking water to lakhs of people. The government wants the displaced families to share the joy of farmers who will benefit from the project,” he said.

He said the coalition government had released Rs 768 crore to the displaced families within 40 days, against Rs 900 crore allegedly left unpaid by the previous government during its five-year tenure. He said Naidu had directed officials to examine the grievances of the displaced families and ensure justice to all eligible beneficiaries.

The minister directed officials to ensure that displaced families living in different locations had access to ration, pensions and other welfare benefits, and asked them to provide necessary infrastructure in rehabilitation colonies.

Schools, places of worship, community halls, panchayat offices, cement roads, drainage and street lighting had already been provided in the colonies, he said, adding that officials would continue to support the families until they constructed their houses.

Markapuram collector M. Vijaya Sunitha, joint collector Puli Srinivasulu, irrigation adviser M. Venkateswara Rao, Yerragondapalem TD in-charge Erikshan Babu, Veligonda project CE Ramesh, SE Abuthalem and other officials and public representatives were present during the inspection.