Veligonda Irrigation Project Accelerates in Drought-Hit Prakasam District
The long-awaited Veligonda irrigation project has finally gained significant momentum in the drought-scarred Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. However, a substantial financial hurdle remains, with authorities estimating that at least Rs 2,000 crore is required to complete the first phase and initiate water release. Farmers across the region are now anxiously awaiting the upcoming state budget to see if the necessary allocation will be made to turn this decades-old dream into reality.
Decades of Waiting for a Lifeline
For generations, residents of Markapuram, Peddaraveedu, Ardhaveedu, and numerous surrounding villages have endured severe water scarcity. The Veligonda project was conceived as a definitive solution to this chronic crisis. The ambitious engineering endeavor is designed to divert surplus floodwaters from the Krishna river at the Srisailam reservoir. This water will be channeled through twin tunnels drilled beneath the formidable Nallamala hills and stored in the newly constructed Nallamala Sagar reservoir.
The project's scope is vast and transformative. Upon completion, it is slated to:
- Irrigate approximately 4.47 lakh acres of agricultural land across 30 mandals.
- Provide safe, potable drinking water to over 15 lakh people in the districts of Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa.
- End the dual burdens of chronic drought and dangerous fluoride contamination in groundwater, revitalizing one of the state's most arid upland regions.
Political Push and Progress on the Ground
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken a personal interest in expediting the project, directing the water resources department to fast-track all remaining work. A firm deadline has been set for completion by August 2026, with Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu publicly promising water release by that date.
On-site construction is visibly advancing. Key activities currently underway include:
- Lining the massive twin tunnels to prevent seepage.
- Strengthening the feeder canal system.
- Constructing crucial retaining walls.
These works have resumed after previous delays caused by cyclonic weather and technical challenges like water ingress were successfully addressed by engineers.
Persistent Financial and Rehabilitation Challenges
Despite the progress, significant financial and social obstacles threaten the project's timeline. The most pressing issue is the unresolved compensation for displaced families.
- Approximately 7,321 displaced families are still awaiting compensation payments totaling Rs 866 crore.
- An additional Rs 180 crore is needed for individuals who have turned 18 since the original displacement announcements, making them newly eligible for compensation.
- While rehabilitation colonies are nearing completion, contractors are owed nearly Rs 100 crore in outstanding dues, which could slow final handovers.
Furthermore, the district administration requires another Rs 200 crore to finalize a critical water grid near Gottipadiya. This infrastructure is essential for supplying drinking water to multiple constituencies, including Markapuram, Kanigiri, and Giddalur.
Officials have consolidated these needs, estimating that a total infusion of Rs 2,000 crore is imperative to clear all existing hurdles. This funding is critical to meet the interim target of allowing the initial inflow of water into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir by June of the coming year. The project did receive Rs 510 crore in the 2025-26 budget, and proposals for the additional Rs 2,000 crore grant have been formally submitted to the state government to meet the Chief Minister's 2026 deadline.
The coming months, particularly the state budget announcement, will be decisive for the Veligonda project. It represents not just an irrigation scheme, but a potential end to generations of hardship for the people of Prakasam and neighboring districts.
