Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu is set to dedicate Phase-1 of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project to the nation today, August 31, at Gantavanipalli in Markapuram district. Marking the fulfillment of a 30-year dream since Naidu laid its foundation stone in 1996, Krishna waters will be released into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir. Phase-1 will supply 10.70 TMC of water, delivering irrigation across 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to 4 lakh people.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will dedicate Phase-1 of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project to the nation today at Gantavanipalli in Markapuram district, bringing an end to a 30-year wait for drought-stricken regions. Having originally laid the foundation stone for the irrigation initiative back on March 5, 1996, Naidu will officially release Krishna River waters diverted through twin tunnels beneath the Nallamala hills into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir. The completion of Phase-1 marks a critical turning point in eliminating chronic water scarcity and endemic fluorosis across western Prakasam, Markapuram, YSR Kadapa, and Nellore districts.
Phase-1 of the Veligonda Project:
Phase-1 of the Project is designed to draw Krishna floodwaters from the foreshore of the Srisailam Reservoir by gravity flow. The initial phase transfers 10.70 TMC of water into Nallamala Sagar, providing assured irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres of farmland and clean drinking water to four lakh citizens. Upon complete implementation of both phases, the full project will supply 53.85 TMC to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres and provide safe drinking water to nearly 23 lakh people in fluoride-affected areas.
The Andhra Pradesh state government allocated over two thousand crore rupees to settle rehabilitation and resettlement compensation for eleven displaced villages that sacrificed land and homes for the reservoir basin. In addition to mitigating migration and restoring agricultural stability, the government plans to leverage this permanent water security to transform Rayalaseema and western Prakasam into a major international horticulture, food processing, and industrial hub.
