Officials explaining about the Veligonda tunnel project to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to Dornal in Markapuram district on Wednesday. | Photo credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for lining the feeder canal of the Veligonda project at a cost of ₹ 456 crore at Gantavanipally in Markapuram district. He visited the Yeragondapalem constituency in Markapuram for the first time after the formation of the new constituency.
Mr. Naidu along with farmers Ammireddy Venkateswara Reddy and Suravaram Gandivira Reddy inspected the works on the feeder canal. After examining the project model, he spoke to engineers in various areas of the project where work is being carried out on the Veligonda tunnel. He insisted the work was completed within 14 weeks.
Mr. Naidu later said in the program “Markapuram Zilla Kala, Veligondatho Jala Kala, Horticulture Rythula Jeevithallo Kalakala”, “Of the ₹9,081 crore required for this project, ₹5,451 crore has been spent on its construction, ₹18 crore on land acquisition and ₹4 crore on renovation works.”
“We have planned to complete this project in two phases. More than ₹ 2,540 crore has to be spent to complete the work. We have spent ₹ 540 crore in the last 20 months and the work is going fast. The project will be dedicated to the nation by the end of July 2026,” he said.
“Last year we focused on Handri-Neeva project and this year we are focusing on Veligonda project. Up to Godavari Pushkaral, we will complete Polavaram project next year,” he said.
Published – 25 Feb 2026 20:49 IST
