Veligonda Phase I Opens New Chapter as Krishna Waters Reach Nallamala Sagar

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the Veligonda Project, marking a major step towards addressing the long-standing water needs of drought-prone regions in Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts.

The Chief Minister released Krishna waters from the Srisailam reservoir into Nallamala Sagar, a key milestone in a project expected to provide both irrigation and drinking water to communities that have struggled for decades with erratic rainfall, falling groundwater levels, fluoride contamination and water scarcity.

Under Phase I, 10.70 TMC of Krishna water will be brought to Nallamala Sagar, benefiting 1.19 lakh acres of farmland and providing drinking water support to nearly four lakh people. Once the project is completed in full, it is expected to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres across 30 mandals and serve the drinking water needs of around 23 lakh people.

Naidu said the NDA coalition government had accelerated the project after coming to power in 2024, spending more than Rs 2,400 crore over the past two years. The first phase was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 7,983 crore, while the overall project cost is pegged at Rs 10,200 crore.

The project includes 18.8 km of twin tunnels and 21.8 km of feeder canals, designed to carry Krishna waters by gravity from the Srisailam reservoir system to Nallamala Sagar.

The government has also moved to address the concerns of families displaced by the project. According to Naidu, 6,206 displaced families received Rs 768 crore in compensation within 48 days, while another Rs 169 crore has been set aside for pending beneficiaries. The government has also extended the cut-off date to provide compensation of Rs 2 lakh to eligible youth who have turned 18.

Calling Veligonda a symbol of the region's decades-long battle against drought, Naidu said the project would help transform the economic landscape of the area. Greater water availability, he said, could encourage crop diversification, horticulture, agro-based industries and rural employment, while reducing dependence on groundwater and distress migration.

With Krishna waters finally reaching the project reservoir, Veligonda has entered a crucial new phase, raising hopes of lasting water security for some of Andhra Pradesh's most drought-affected regions.