Andhra's Veligonda Phase-I to open on Aug 31, says CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that the Phase-I of the Veligonda project will be inaugurated and water released from it on August 31. The project is expected to irrigate 1.19 lakh acres across Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Markapuram districts, and meet the drinking water needs of nearly four lakh people.

Speaking at his camp office after handing over a cheque of ₹250 crore as the third instalment of compensation to families displaced by the project, Mr. Naidu described the development as a 30-year dream turning into reality. He recalled laying the foundation for the project in 1996.

The Chief Minister noted that ₹2,250 crore had been spent on Phase-I over the last two years, and expressed satisfaction over its completion. He also said he had the good fortune of completing and inaugurating several projects for which former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao laid the foundations.

Addressing the prevailing water situation, Mr. Naidu pointed out that El Nino had caused a 50 per cent deficit in rainfall this year, leading to water scarcity at Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects. He stressed the need for judicious use of available water resources.

He further said that upon completion, the Polavaram project would supply water to the Krishna delta, Srisailam and downstream to the Rayalaseema region. He asserted that the linking of the Ganga, Godavari and Cauvery rivers would permanently resolve water problems in four states.

Mr. Naidu also announced that the foundation for the Rayalaseema Horticulture Hub would be laid in September, and farmers would soon gain the opportunity to export their produce through the Ramayapatnam port.

The event was attended by Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu, MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, MLAs Kandula Narayana Reddy, M. Ashok Reddy and M. Ugra Narasimha Reddy, and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Commissioner P. Prasanthi, among others.