Veligonda Project First Phase to Release Water on August 31
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that water from the first phase of the Veligonda Project will be released on August 31, a move aimed at serving the drought-prone areas of Markapuram, Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa districts. The announcement was made at his camp office in Amaravati while handing over cheques totalling ₹250 crore to families displaced by the project under the third phase of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R).
According to Deccan Chronicle, Naidu recalled his association with the project since 1995, while The New Indian Express reported that he noted laying the original foundation stone in 1996. The Times of India quoted him as saying the project was conceptualised during his earlier tenure and that the first phase has now been completed for commissioning.
Compensation Disbursement Details
The latest disbursement brings the total R&R compensation paid by the NDA government to ₹768 crore across 6,206 affected families in 48 days. The breakdown, as reported by all three outlets, includes ₹318 crore released to 2,557 families in Phase 1, ₹200 crore to 1,622 families in Phase 2, and ₹250 crore to 2,027 families in Phase 3. An additional ₹132 crore remains to be paid to complete the compensation process, which the state has committed to clearing swiftly.
Deccan Chronicle quoted displaced families welcoming the compensation and progress. Farmer Kashireddy said delays under the previous government had caused hardships, while Bogem Srinivasulu expressed satisfaction that the project Naidu conceived is nearing completion. A displaced woman named Ushamma said families have received their compensation in full and are satisfied with the facilities at the rehabilitation colonies.
Project Impact and Investment
The first phase of the Veligonda Project is expected to provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to nearly four lakh people across the four districts. The New Indian Express detailed that the project will draw floodwaters from the foreshore of the Srisailam Reservoir near Kollam Vagu through twin 18.8-km tunnels drilled across the Nallamala Hills into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.
All three outlets reported that the state government has spent about ₹2,250 crore over the last two years to complete and operationalise the first phase. The New Indian Express noted that this investment has accelerated civil and tunnel works to ensure the project deadline is met.
Water Management and Future Plans
Addressing the prevailing water situation, Naidu said the state is facing a significant rainfall deficit owing to El Nino conditions, with inflows into the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs remaining inadequate, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. He stressed the need for economic use of water and said the government is working towards completing the Polavaram project to strengthen water availability in the Krishna delta.
Naidu also pointed out that he has proposed Krishna-Godavari-Cauvery river-linking at the Southern Zonal Council meeting, asserting that linking the five southern rivers could address water shortages across four states. The Times of India reported that he linked the Veligonda project to the state's broader water management strategy, saying projects such as Polavaram and Veligonda would help improve water availability in drought-prone regions.
Additional Announcements
At the same programme, the Chief Minister assured that every household in the newly-formed Markapuram district would be provided with tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also announced that the foundation stone for a horticulture hub would be laid in September, and said the upcoming Ramayapatnam port would create export opportunities for horticultural produce, potentially boosting farmer incomes, as reported by Deccan Chronicle and The Times of India.