Chandrababu Naidu to inaugurate Veligonda Project Phase-1 on Monday

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate Phase-1 of the Veligonda Project on Monday and release 10.7 TMC of Krishna River water into Nallamala Sagar. The project is expected to improve irrigation, drinking water availability and rural livelihoods

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate Phase-1 of the Veligonda Project on Monday and release Krishna River water into Nallamala Sagar, marking a significant development for the drought-prone region.

Lakhs of farmers who have been eagerly waiting to see Krishna waters reach their fields will be thrilled to see the development.

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The water will now flow into Veligonda from the backwaters of the Srisailam Reservoir, an official press release issued on Sunday said.

The chief minister will lift the feeder canal gates and release 10.7 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic) feet of water into Nallamala Sagar.

The NDA coalition government has spent more than Rs.2,400 crore on Veligonda in the past two years, the release said.

The project provides new assurance to farmers in Prakasam and Markapuram districts, while the arrival of Krishna River water is expected to bring fresh hope to the drought-prone region, it added.

The Veligonda project is also expected to help end the severe fluoride problem in western Prakasam, and difficulties related to irrigation and drinking water will also be eliminated.

An initiative has also been launched to provide drinking water through taps to every household.

The government said compensation was provided rapidly to families displaced by the project. In three instalments, Rs 768 crore was provided to 6,206 families, while another Rs 169 crore has been announced.

Compensation of Rs 2 lakh each will be provided to those who turned 18 after 2019.

Naidu directed officials to provide sarees, turmeric, kumkum and bangles to honour displaced women.

Fodder will be provided for 30 days to 4,933 cattle belonging to displaced families.

Essential commodity kits containing 25 kg of rice, 1 kg of dal, 1 kg of sugar, 1 litre of cooking oil, 2 kg of onions and 2 kg of potatoes will be provided to 10,000 people.

The government said Naidu will inaugurate the Veligonda Project in the presence of lakhs of farmers and people.

Krishna River water will be diverted from the Srisailam reservoir through gravity, stored in Nallamala Sagar and supplied through main canals for irrigation and drinking water.

Improved irrigation is expected to encourage crop diversification, horticulture, agro-processing and food-processing activities, generate rural employment opportunities, reduce groundwater dependence and help curb migration.