Veligonda Project Enters New Phase as Chandrababu Naidu Set to Inaugurate Phase-I

Andhra Pradesh is set to mark a major milestone in its long-running irrigation efforts as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu prepares to inaugurate the first phase of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project on August 31. The project, which has been associated with the water needs of drought-prone parts of the state for decades, is expected to bring significant changes to irrigation and drinking water availability.

The inauguration is scheduled to take place in the Markapuram region, where the Chief Minister will formally dedicate the first phase of the project. The event is being seen as an important moment for farmers and residents who have waited for Krishna River water to reach the region.

A project with a decades-long history

The Veligonda project has a long political and administrative history. Naidu himself laid the foundation stone for the project in 1996, when he was Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Nearly three decades later, he is returning to inaugurate its first phase.

The project was conceived to address persistent water shortages in areas that have historically faced irregular rainfall and limited irrigation resources. Over the years, construction progressed through several stages, including major underground tunnelling and reservoir works.

The first phase is now ready to become operational, bringing the project closer to its broader objective of supplying water to agricultural areas and communities across several districts.

Krishna water to reach Nallamala Sagar

A key feature of the project is its plan to divert Krishna River floodwaters from the Srisailam reservoir. The water will travel through the project's intake system and reach the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.

During the inauguration, 10.7 TMC of water is expected to be released into Nallamala Sagar. From there, the stored water will be distributed through the project's canal network for irrigation and drinking-water requirements.

Unlike many irrigation schemes that depend heavily on pumping, Veligonda has been designed to use gravity to move water over substantial portions of its route. This feature is expected to reduce the long-term dependence on electricity for water conveyance.

Irrigation benefits for drought-hit areas

The immediate focus of Phase-I is agriculture. The first stage is expected to provide irrigation support to around 1.19 lakh acres.

For farmers in western parts of Prakasam and neighbouring regions, the arrival of a more dependable water source could have wider economic consequences. Regular irrigation can improve crop planning, reduce dependence on uncertain rainfall and potentially strengthen farm incomes.

The larger Veligonda scheme is planned to serve an even wider command area as additional distribution infrastructure is completed. Its benefits are expected to extend across parts of Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore and YSR Kadapa districts.

Drinking water and fluoride concerns

The project's importance extends beyond agriculture. Several communities in the region have faced drinking-water challenges, including concerns linked to fluoride in groundwater.

The government expects Veligonda to provide a more reliable source of safe drinking water to communities along the project's distribution network. Phase-I alone is expected to support drinking-water needs for nearly four lakh people.

The broader project is intended to serve a substantially larger population once the planned distribution system is fully developed.

Rehabilitation remains a major part of the project

Large irrigation reservoirs inevitably affect settlements located within their submergence areas. In the case of Veligonda, families from 11 villages have been affected by the creation of the reservoir.

The state government has highlighted rehabilitation and compensation as an important part of the project's implementation. According to government figures reported ahead of the inauguration, substantial compensation has been released to displaced families, with additional settlements being processed.

The administration has also announced measures intended to support families during relocation, including assistance for livestock and essential household requirements.

Major engineering work behind the project

The Veligonda scheme has involved extensive engineering challenges. Water has to pass through the Nallamala terrain, requiring long underground tunnels before reaching the feeder canal system.

The project includes two major tunnels designed to carry water through the hills. Construction encountered difficult geological conditions in parts of the tunnelling work, adding to the complexity and timeline of the project.

The Nallamala Sagar reservoir itself has also required substantial civil engineering work to close natural gaps in the surrounding terrain and create the storage system needed for the scheme.

Government spending and the road ahead

The present state government has accelerated work on the project since taking office in 2024. More than Rs 2,400 crore has reportedly been spent on Veligonda-related works during the past two years, including rehabilitation, tunnelling-related activities and feeder canal works.

The inauguration of Phase-I therefore represents not the end of the entire Veligonda programme, but an important operational stage. Further distribution infrastructure will be required for the project to deliver its full planned irrigation and drinking-water benefits.

For the drought-prone regions that have followed the project for decades, however, the release of Krishna water into Nallamala Sagar is expected to carry considerable significance. The August 31 inauguration will mark the transition of Veligonda from a long-awaited infrastructure project into an active water-supply system, with farmers and rural communities now looking toward its promised benefits.

If you want, I can also prepare 10 SEO-friendly blog labels and a headline/meta description for this article.