Veligonda Project Phase-1 Opens Today

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will formally inaugurate Phase-1 of the Veligonda Project in Markapuram district today, marking a long-awaited milestone for drought-prone regions of Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the project and initiate the release of Krishna river water from the backwaters of the Srisailam Reservoir into the Veligonda system. The development is expected to bring renewed hope to farmers and residents of the Prakasam and Markapuram regions, which have struggled for decades with recurring water shortages.

According to the state government, the Chief Minister will open the feeder canal gates and release 10.7 TMC of water into Nallamala Sagar. The government said the NDA coalition has invested more than Rs 2,400 crore in the Veligonda Project over the past two years.

The first phase of the project is expected to provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres, while the completion of Phase-2 could expand the coverage to 3.283 lakh acres. The project is also expected to play a significant role in easing drinking water shortages across the drought-affected belt.

The government believes the project could offer relief from the persistent fluoride contamination problem in western Prakasam. Along with strengthening irrigation facilities, the initiative is expected to improve access to safe drinking water, with the government also working towards supplying water to households through tap connections.

Attention has also been focused on families displaced by the project. The government said compensation worth Rs 768 crore has been distributed to 6,206 displaced families in three phases, while an additional Rs 169 crore has been announced. Individuals who attained the age of 18 after 2019 will also receive Rs 2 lakh each under the compensation package.

As part of the rehabilitation measures, displaced women will be provided sarees, turmeric, kumkum and bangles, following directions from the Chief Minister. Fodder will be supplied for 30 days to 4,933 cattle belonging to displaced families.

The government will also distribute essential commodity kits to 10,000 people. Each kit will include 25 kg of rice, 1 kg of tur dal, 1 kg of sugar, 1 litre of cooking oil, 2 kg of onions and 2 kg of potatoes.