Veligonda Displaced Families’ Sacrifice Priceless, Says Minister Nimmala

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Wednesday said the sacrifices of nearly 7,000 displaced families were crucial to bringing the three-decade-old Veligonda project to the verge of completion, assuring them that the government would stand by them until all their rehabilitation concerns were addressed.

Nimmala inspected the ongoing installation of regulator gates at the Veligonda project’s feeder canal ahead of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Jalaharathi on August 31. He also reviewed arrangements for the ghat, memorial pillar and public meeting venue and directed officials to complete the works on schedule.

Later, the minister visited rehabilitation colonies and reviewed the availability of basic amenities. He instructed the Collector and officials to identify the current locations of families displaced from submerged villages and ensure that ration, pensions and other welfare benefits reach them without interruption.

Nimmala said the project would eventually provide irrigation water to lakhs of acres and drinking water to lakhs of people. He paid tribute to the displaced families, saying their contribution was “priceless” and assuring them of continued government support.

The minister alleged that the previous government had failed to address the financial obligations towards the oustees. Against around ₹900 crore reportedly pending, not a single rupee was released during the previous five years, he claimed. After the coalition government came to power, ₹768 crore was paid within 40 days, he said.

Nimmala added that Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to examine every grievance and ensure justice for all eligible displaced families. The government wanted the happiness of farmers receiving Veligonda water to be reflected equally in the families who sacrificed their homes and properties for the project.

He said rehabilitation colonies had facilities such as schools, places of worship, community halls, panchayat offices, cement roads and drainage systems, while street lighting had also been provided. He criticised the previous government for failing to clear overgrown vegetation in the colonies.

The minister assured the families that officials and elected representatives would continue supporting them until they build their own houses and perform housewarming ceremonies.