Three decades after laying the foundation stone, Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the first phase of Veligonda Irrigation Project on August 31

A view of the feeder canal of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda irrigation project before its inauguration in Markapuram district.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the first phase of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Irrigation Project on August 31 (Monday) and release water, fulfilling a three-year dream of the people of drought-prone areas of Markapuram, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa.

The historic moment will take place when Mr. Naidu, who laid the foundation stone of the project on March 5, 1996 as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, will launch the first phase of the project three decades later, according to a press release.

The state government is organizing a grand-scale inauguration ceremony on the theme — “Velugonda Jala Sirulu – Abhivruddhiki Rekkalu” (Velugonda Waters – Wings for Development).

How water flows

According to the published report, the region has suffered for decades from insufficient rainfall, depleted groundwater, fluoride contamination and a lack of irrigation water. The project was designed to divert the Krishna river waters from the Srisailam reservoir by gravity, store them in the Nallamala Sagar and utilize them through major channels for irrigation and drinking water requirements.

Once fully operational, the Veligonda project will provide irrigation to 4.47 lakh hectares and benefit the people of 30 mandals in Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Approximately 23,000 people, including those living in fluoride-affected areas, will benefit from the drinking water component.

With the commencement of the first phase of the project, 10.70 tmc ft of Krishna water will be released into Nallamala Sagar, providing irrigation to around 1.19,000 m acres and drinking water for 4 million people.

Support for agriculture

The availability of water from Veligonda is expected to create new opportunities in agriculture, officials say. Better irrigation security will reduce uncertainty for farmers and facilitate crop diversification. Reduced dependence on groundwater will also create more space for the development of the horticulture, agriculture and food industries. This, in turn, is expected to improve job opportunities in rural areas and help reduce migration, they say.

The project has faced many technical, financial and construction challenges since 1996. The project went through several complex challenges including construction of tunnel, feeder channels, main regulators, land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement.

After taking office in 2024, the coalition government gave the highest priority to the completion of the project and accelerated the work. Apart from rehabilitation and compensation for displaced families, special attention was given to tunnel works, feeder channels, head regulators and other related constructions.

The government expedited the project by paying ₹768 million compensation to the displaced families in 48 days. In addition, ₹169 million was announced for those whose names were not in the gazette or beneficiary lists, along with ₹2 million as compensation for those who attained the age of 18 after 2019.

Itinerary of CM

Mr. Naidu will reach Gantavanipalli from Dornala mandal in Markapuram district on Monday morning and proceed to the launch site of the project. He will attend special puja ceremonies and launch the first phase of the project, unveil the inaugural pylon, open the gates of the project and formally release water to the Veligonda project. He will speak at a public meeting later.

Published – 30 Aug 2026 20:13 IST