Nimmala Says Veligonda to Irrigate 1.19 Lakh Acres by Next Season
Kurnool: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed that Veligonda project be completed in two phases, with 1.19 lakh acres of land being irrigated by the next season after head works, tunnels, feeder channel and regulator tasks are completed under Phase 1.
Water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu shared this information with media on Tuesday when he visited the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda project site at Kothur in Dornala mandal of Prakasam district. Ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy also inspected the project site along with Ramanaidu.
The water resources minister disclosed that during 2014–19, the Telugu Desam-led government allocated Rs 1,373 crore for the project and utilised Rs 1,319 crore of the total amount. Against this, the erstwhile YSR Congress regime earmarked Rs 3,518 crore in the budget but spent only Rs 170 crore.
Ramanaidu pulled up the YSRC government for hastily dedicating the project, even though construction of the tunnel and other key elements had remained incomplete.
The minister wondered how the project could be deemed complete when only 11 kilometres of lining work has been completed. He noted that tunnel 1 holds 1.2 lakh cubic metres of soil and benching is underway in the second tunnel, with work scheduled to resume in November.
Ramanaidu estimated that it will take at least 1.5 years of continuous work to complete the project. He pointed out that the tunnel boring machine damaged three years ago near the 12th kilometre in the second tunnel is yet to be removed.
Social welfare minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said once completed, Veligonda project will irrigate up to four lakh acres of land. He affirmed that the NDA alliance government remains committed to the development of Prakasam district.
The ministers also inspected Veligonda project's feeder canal. MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, district collector Thameem Ansaria and several legislators and officials accompanied the ministers.