Veligonda Waters To Power a New Era of Development

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s three-decade-old resolve to bring Krishna waters to the drought-ravaged western Prakasam region would become a reality with the inauguration of Phase-I of the Veligonda project at Markapuram on August 31.

Describing the project as a new chapter for drought-hit areas of Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts, Naidu said on Tuesday that the Veligonda waters would transform the lives of farmers and families who had endured crop failures, fluoride contamination, drinking water shortages and migration for generations.

In a statement, the Chief Minister recalled that he had laid the foundation stone for Veligonda on March 5, 1996, when he was CM of undivided Andhra Pradesh. “Three decades later, I am inaugurating the same project,” he said, sharing a photograph of the foundation-stone ceremony.

The project will release 10.70tmc of Krishna waters into Nallamala Sagar. As per the plan, it would provide irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres across 30 mandals and drinking water to nearly 23 lakh people in fluoride-affected areas, in phases.

The ayacut includes 3.36 lakh acres in the erstwhile Prakasam district, 84,000 acres in Nellore and 27,200 acres in Kadapa.

Phase-I would provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to four lakh people, while Phase-II will cover 3.283 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 11.25 lakh people.

The `10,200-crore project envisages conveying Krishna water by gravity from the foreshore of the Srisailam reservoir through twin tunnels to Nallamala Sagar. The two tunnels together extend 18.8km. Feeder canals covering 21.8km and three main canals — Teegaleru, Gottipadiya and Eastern Main Canal — form part of the system.

Naidu said the project would end the region’s dependence on uncertain rainfall and groundwater. Besides stabilising agriculture and encouraging crop diversification, the availability of water would boost horticulture, agro-processing and food-processing activities, create rural employment and reduce migration.

The government also plans to develop Rayalaseema and the erstwhile Prakasam district as a horticulture hub with investments of `1 lakh crore. The national highways, the Bengaluru-Amaravati highway and the Ramayapatnam Port are expected to strengthen logistics and open new avenues for industrial and commercial growth.

A major benefit would be safe drinking water for fluoride-affected areas, with tap connections planned for every household. The project is also expected to recharge groundwater and reduce dependence on borewells.

The government said works worth `7,983 crore had been completed in Phase-I. After assuming office in 2024, the present government cleared pending bills and accelerated tunnel, canal and regulator works. It also distributed `768 crore in compensation to displaced families, according to the government.

With the Krishna water finally reaching the drought-hit landscape, Naidu said his resolve remained clear: “Water to every farmer’s field, employment for every youth and assurance for every family.”