Naidu disburses ₹300 crore in research and development funds to families displaced by the Veligonda project
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu disbursing financial assistance under the R&R package to families displaced by the Veligonda project at Krishnamsettypalli village in Markapuram district on Saturday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday disbursed ₹300 crore under the relief and rehabilitation (R&R) package to 2,351 displaced families from the Veligonda project.
The package was provided to the affected residents of Kalunutala, Sunkesula, Chintalamudipi, Buduncherla, Katamraju Thanda, Sairam Nagar, Mettigondi, Basavayipalli, Lakshmipuram, Akkacheruvu and Gottipadu villages.
The government is also making arrangements for rehabilitation for the displaced residents of certain villages near the site of the upcoming Collectorate.
Mr. Naidu later addressed the people of Krishnamsettypalli village in Giddalur mandal of Markapuram district, “Apart from creating a new district, we are setting up a Collectorate for displaced persons in the colony. We have also completed providing basic amenities in these colonies. Thanks to the sacrifices of the displaced people, 3.7 drinking water and 4. lakh people will be provided with irrigation.”
“Under the first phase of the Veligonda project, irrigation water will be supplied to 1.19 million acres and drinking water to four million people during this season. In phase-2, irrigation water will be supplied to 3.25 million acres and drinking water to 11.25 million people,” the Chief Minister said.
Spirit child of NTR
“The Veligonda project will change the fortunes of four districts. This region is facing the problem of fluoride, which is causing health problems to the local people. Markapuram area is known as a drought-prone area and no one ever imagined that water from Krishna river would reach here. Former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao first conceived the idea of bringing Krishna water to this area.”
“The project was conceived during NTR’s tenure in 1985. When the former chief minister visited Prakasam district in 1995, local farmers said that if the flood water could be diverted to the region, they would be able to sustain their livelihood. We laid the foundation stone of the project in 1996. So far we have spent 36 out of the total estimated ₹ 7 ₹ 10,580 crore,” said Mr Naidu
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inspects work on the Veligonda project at Gantavanipalli in Markapuram district on Saturday.
Another ₹3,844 crore would be spent on the project, he said. Since assuming office in 2024, the NDA government has spent ₹759 crore and sanctioned ₹905 crore for displaced persons. “Of this, we have released ₹300 crore today. Due to public holidays, the reconstruction and rehabilitation funds will be credited to the accounts of the displaced persons in the next two days,” the chief minister said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Naidu inspected the work on the Veligonda project at Gantavanipalli of Dornala mandal in Markapuram district. Interacting with locals later, the Chief Minister assured to improve the lives of farmers and displaced people.
Published – 27 Jun 2026 20:33 IST