Today, the first phase of the Veligonda project is dedicated to the nation – not for votes – we are working for change.. not for elections – to change the lives of the AP people, the development of future generations is our main goal – clarified Chief Minister Chandrababu.
Raja Pentapati - AP Bureau Chief
Amaravati August 31st Bharat Digital news
National News
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu dedicated the first phase of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda project to the nation. He performed special pujas to the Krishna waters that emerged from the twin tunnels in the Nallamala hills at Gantavanipalle in Dornala mandal and welcomed them with a water aarti. Later, he unveiled a stone plaque marking the inauguration of the first phase of the project.
Chandrababu said that the inauguration of the Veligonda project was an emotional occasion in his life. He said that he himself had performed the ground breaking ceremony for this project as the Chief Minister on March 5, 1996, and that he would be inaugurating the first phase of the project on August 31, 2026, exactly 30 years later.
The Krishna waters, transported by gravity from the Kollam Vagu in the Srisailam reservoir, reached the Ganthavanipalle Aqueduct through the Veligonda twin tunnels and rushed towards Nallamala Sagar. Krishnamma, which flowed through the Nallamala hills and through the canals, was given a grand welcome by local women and people with flowers.
He said that the sacrifice of farmers is bringing light to the lives of lakhs of people. “The beneficiaries of the project will be as happy as the displaced people. In just 48 days, we have provided Rs. 768 crore compensation to 6,206 displaced families. Despite the financial difficulties, we are paying an additional Rs. 169 crore, recognizing the suffering and needs of the displaced people,” Chandrababu said.
We have extended the cut-off date and provided Rs. 2 lakh each to the youth who have completed 18 years of age. We have completed the first phase of the Veligonda project, which was undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs. 10,200 crore, by spending Rs. 7,983 crore so far. The work of 18.8 km of twin tunnels and 21.8 km of feeder canals has been completed. As part of the first phase, 10.70 TMC of water will be transferred to Nallamala Sagar. 1.19 lakh acres will be irrigated and 4 lakh people will get drinking water. If Veligonda is completed, the joint In 30 mandals of Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts, 4.47 lakh acres will be irrigated and 23 lakh people will get drinking water.
He said that 3.36 lakh acres will be irrigated in the combined Prakasam district, 84 thousand acres in Nellore district and 27 thousand acres in Kadapa district. 62 thousand acres under the Teegaleru canal, 9,500 acres under the Gottipadiya canal and 3.70 lakh acres under the East Main Canal will be consolidated. With the arrival of Krishnamma, the word fluoride will be a thing of the past in West Prakasam. Veligonda means an end to fluoride troubles. A new history written by Krishnamma on the land of drought,” the Chief Minister described.
Chandrababu said that another Rs. 1,900 crore work needs to be done to complete the entire Veligonda project. The coalition government has also announced that it will take the responsibility of completing Veligonda Phase-2 by 2028.
He said that the government is working in every possible way to ensure that the Godavari waters reach Nallamala Sagar. The CM made it clear that we are not working for votes. We are working for change. We are not working for elections. We are working to change the lives of the people and for the development of future generations.
The CM made it clear that the water of Krishna that came through Veligonda Sonrangala was performed with the Telugu traditional Panche Kattu. The Krishna waters were sprinkled with turmeric and saffron and special prayers were performed. Later, the holy waters were sprinkled on the ministers, public representatives and officials and expressed happiness. The Chief Minister prostrated to the flow of Krishnamma at the feeder canal. Tribal women welcomed the Krishna waters with traditional dances. Several state ministers and public representatives participated in the program.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh