Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate Phase-I of the long-awaited Veligonda irrigation project on August 31, 2026 and release Krishna waters into the drought-prone region. marking the fulfilment of a three-decade-old dream of people of the State.
The project is expected to transform drought-affected parts of Markapur, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts by improving irrigation and drinking water availability.
The State government is organising the inauguration under the theme “Veligonda Jalasirulu – Abhivruddhiki Rekkalu” (Veligonda’s Water Wealth – Wings to Development). Naidu had laid the foundation stone for the project on March 5, 1996, as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, will inaugurate its first phase nearly 30 years later.
Veligonda is being regarded as a lifeline for a region that has suffered for decades from scanty rainfall, depleted groundwater, fluoride contamination and inadequate irrigation facilities.
The project has been designed to divert Krishna waters from the Srisailam reservoir through gravity into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir and distribute the stored water through canals for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to provide irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres and benefit people in 30 mandals across Prakasam, Markapur, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Around 23 lakh people, including those in fluoride-affected areas, are expected to receive drinking water benefits.
With the inauguration of Phase-I, 10.70 TMC of Krishna water will be released into Nallamala Sagar. The first phase is aimed at providing irrigation to around 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to approximately four lakh people.
The availability of assured irrigation is expected to reduce uncertainty for farmers and encourage crop diversification. Reduced dependence on groundwater could also facilitate the expansion of horticulture, agro-processing and food-processing industries, creating employment opportunities in rural areas and helping reduce migration.
The Veligonda project has undergone a long and challenging journey since its foundation stone was laid in 1996. Tunnel construction, feeder canals, head regulators, land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced families were among the major challenges that delayed its progress.
After the NDA Government assumed office in 2024, Veligonda was accorded priority and construction works were accelerated. The government focused on completing tunnel works, feeder canals, head regulators and other associated structures, besides addressing rehabilitation and compensation issues.
The government paid ₹768 crore as compensation to displaced families to expedite the works. Another ₹169 crore was earmarked for people whose names were missing from the gazette or beneficiary lists. Compensation of ₹2 lakh each was also announced for those who attained the age of 18 after 2019, according to a relase.
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