In a historic moment for the state of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu formally inaugurated the first phase of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda irrigation project. The event marks a rare political milestone, as Mr. Naidu himself laid the foundation stone for this ambitious project on March 5, 1996, during his tenure as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Exactly three decades later, he has returned to dedicate its first completed phase to the nation.

The project is designed to act as a lifeline for the perennially drought-prone and fluoride-affected regions of Markapuram, Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa districts. Celebrating this monumental achievement, the state government organized the inauguration on a grand scale under the theme 'Velugonda Jala Sirulu – Abhivruddhiki Rekkalu' (Velugonda Waters – Wings for Development). At the venue in Gantavanipalli, the Chief Minister performed special rituals before lifting the gates to release Krishna river waters into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.

The Engineering Marvel: How the Water Flows

The Veligonda project is a marvel of hydraulic engineering designed to divert floodwaters of the Krishna River from the Srisailam reservoir. Utilizing gravity, the water is channeled through massive underground tunnels into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir, from where it is distributed through a network of main canals for irrigation and drinking purposes. This system bypasses the need for heavy lift-pumping, making it highly energy-efficient.

Once the entire project becomes fully operational, it will irrigate approximately 4.47 lakh acres of arable land across 30 mandals. Furthermore, it will secure safe drinking water for nearly 23 lakh people, providing crucial relief to communities that have suffered from severe groundwater depletion and fluoride contamination for generations.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the operationalization of the Veligonda project will trigger a massive socio-economic transformation in rural Andhra Pradesh. With guaranteed irrigation, farmers can transition from high-risk dryland farming to high-yield crop diversification. Decreased dependence on erratic monsoons and groundwater will pave the way for robust growth in the horticulture, food processing, and agro-allied industries, effectively curbing rural distress and migration.

"The completion of the Veligonda project's first phase is a monumental engineering feat that will permanently alter the socio-economic landscape of Andhra Pradesh's most arid regions."

Overcoming Decades of Bottlenecks and Rehabilitation Challenges

Since its inception in 1996, the project has battled severe headwinds, including complex geological challenges during tunnel excavation, regulatory delays, land acquisition disputes, and financial constraints. The construction of tunnels through the fragile rock formations of the Nallamala hills required state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and immense engineering precision.

Upon assuming office in 2024, the coalition government prioritized the project, expediting works on the tunnels, feeder canals, and head regulators. To resolve long-standing human displacement issues, the government disbursed ₹768 crore in compensation to displaced families within a record span of 48 days. Additionally, ₹169 crore was sanctioned for left-out beneficiaries, alongside a rehabilitation package of ₹2 lakh each for individuals who turned 18 after 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which districts will benefit from the first phase of the Veligonda project?

The first phase will immediately benefit the drought-prone regions of Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore, and Kadapa districts by irrigating 1.19 lakh acres and providing drinking water to 4 lakh people.

2. How does the project transport water from Srisailam to Nallamala Sagar?

The project utilizes gravity to divert Krishna River water from the Srisailam reservoir through large-diameter underground tunnels excavated through the Nallamala hill range.