3 days ago
Naidu Inaugurates Veligonda Phase-I, Releases Krishna River Water
The Veligonda project is a large water project in Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu opened its first phase on August 31, 2026.
It carries water from the Srisailam Reservoir to the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.
In the first phase, 10.70 TMC of Krishna River water was released.
This water is meant to help farmers grow crops and provide drinking water to about four lakh people.
The complete project is expected to irrigate much more farmland and provide drinking water to 23 lakh people.
The project is designed to help areas affected by drought, low groundwater and fluoride contamination.
Officials say better water supplies could also support businesses and jobs in rural areas.
Some families displaced by the project received compensation and other assistance.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated Phase-I of the Veligonda irrigation project on August 31, 2026.
The project released 10.70 TMC of Krishna River water from the Srisailam Reservoir into Nallamala Sagar through gravity.
Phase-I is intended to irrigate about 1.19 lakh acres and provide drinking water to approximately four lakh people.
When fully completed, the project is expected to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres across 30 mandals and supply drinking water to 23 lakh people.
The government reported ₹768 crore in compensation for 6,206 displaced families, with another ₹169 crore announced.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the first phase of the project.
- What
- Phase-I of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda irrigation project was inaugurated, and 10.70 TMC of Krishna River water was released into Nallamala Sagar.
- Where
- The project serves drought-prone areas of Markapuram and the Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- August 31, 2026, described in the reports as Monday.
- Why
- It is intended to improve irrigation and drinking-water access, address fluoride contamination and reduce dependence on groundwater.
Key facts
- Project
- Poola Subbaiah Veligonda irrigation project
- Water route
- Krishna River water is diverted from the Srisailam Reservoir by gravity, stored in Nallamala Sagar and distributed through canals.
- Phase-I water release
- 10.70 TMC released into Nallamala Sagar
- Phase-I benefits
- Irrigation for about 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water for approximately four lakh people
- Full-project target
- Irrigation for 4.47 lakh acres across 30 mandals and drinking water for 23 lakh people
- Project history
- Foundation stone laid by N. Chandrababu Naidu on March 5, 1996
- Reported costs
- One account reported a total project cost of ₹10,200 crore and Phase-I expenditure of ₹7,983 crore; government releases separately reported more than ₹2,400 crore spent in the previous two years.
- Displacement assistance
- ₹768 crore was distributed in three instalments to 6,206 families; another ₹169 crore was announced, along with ₹2 lakh for people who turned 18 after 2019.
Quotes
N Chandrababu Naidu
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
“We gave our word, completed the project and brought the Krishna waters. From now on, we will create wealth.”
deccanchronicle.com
“With Krishna waters reaching the region, fluoride would become a thing of the past in western Prakasam.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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