Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu along with local MLAs inspected the Velugonda project at Kothooru village in Prakasam district on Wednesday. | Photo credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu, along with a team of irrigation experts, inspected the work on the Veligonda project in Prakasam district for the second time in a week on Wednesday. He expressed deep dissatisfaction and indignation over the unfinished drainage works in the feeder channel, collapsed culverts and twin tunnels damaged due to the recent Cyclone Montha.
Talking to the representatives of the agencies that carried out the construction work and the officials responsible for monitoring it, he said, “Drainage work and filling of ditches has to be done on a war footing, but they have been waiting for it for a week now. It has to be completed soon to bring justice to the most backward and fluoride-affected district.”
“Since the coalition government came to power, lining of 12,000 meters of the total 19,000 meters of the feeder has been completed. If the lining is not done at the rate of 600 meters per month, the remaining 7,000 meters of lining will not be completed by 2026, which is the deadline,” Mr. Nimmala said.
He directed the officials to make arrangements to start all works like lining and paving in the two tunnels and complete them on a war footing. He pointed out that the construction work on lining the feeder and retaining wall, done at a cost of ₹ 456 crore, should start this month and be completed by the next rainy season.
The minister warned of strict action against anyone found guilty of breach of duty. Markapuram MLA Kandula Narayana Reddy, Giddalur MLA Ashok Reddy, Yerragondapalem TDP in-charge Erixion Babu, Irrigation Advisor Venkateswara Rao, Project CE Shyam Prasad and senior officials.
Published – 12 Nov 2025 19:43 IST
