Veligonda project phase-I will be launched on Aug 31, says Naidu
Aug 22, 2026, 11.23 PM IST
Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced that the long-delayed Veligonda project’s first phase would be commissioned on Aug 31 with the release of water to ayacut areas.
The CM, who distributed the third tranche of rehabilitation and resettlement compensation to project-displaced families, said the project would realise a long-pending demand of people in Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, and Markapuram regions. He recalled that the project was conceptualised during his earlier tenure and said the first phase has now been completed for commissioning.
The govt released ₹250 crore in the third phase of compensation, taking the total disbursement to ₹768 crore for 6,206 displaced families in the last 48 days. With this, only ₹132 crore remains to be paid towards the compensation package.
“The govt spent about ₹2,250 crore in the last two years to complete and operationalise the first phase of the project. Despite drought conditions and lower inflows into major reservoirs this year, the govt is committed to ensure water supply through the project. The first phase of Veligonda will provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to about four lakh people in Prakasam and Nellore districts,” Naidu said.
He also linked the project to the state’s broader water management strategy, reiterating his proposal for interlinking major rivers and transferring surplus waters across river basins. He said projects such as Polavaram and Veligonda would help improve water availability in drought-prone regions of the state.
The chief minister said every household in the newly-formed Markapuram district would be provided with tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also announced that the foundation stone for a horticulture hub would be laid in September and said the upcoming Ramayapatnam port would create export opportunities for horticulture produce from the region.
The CM, who distributed the third tranche of rehabilitation and resettlement compensation to project-displaced families, said the project would realise a long-pending demand of people in Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, and Markapuram regions. He recalled that the project was conceptualised during his earlier tenure and said the first phase has now been completed for commissioning.
The govt released ₹250 crore in the third phase of compensation, taking the total disbursement to ₹768 crore for 6,206 displaced families in the last 48 days. With this, only ₹132 crore remains to be paid towards the compensation package.
“The govt spent about ₹2,250 crore in the last two years to complete and operationalise the first phase of the project. Despite drought conditions and lower inflows into major reservoirs this year, the govt is committed to ensure water supply through the project. The first phase of Veligonda will provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to about four lakh people in Prakasam and Nellore districts,” Naidu said.
He also linked the project to the state’s broader water management strategy, reiterating his proposal for interlinking major rivers and transferring surplus waters across river basins. He said projects such as Polavaram and Veligonda would help improve water availability in drought-prone regions of the state.
The chief minister said every household in the newly-formed Markapuram district would be provided with tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also announced that the foundation stone for a horticulture hub would be laid in September and said the upcoming Ramayapatnam port would create export opportunities for horticulture produce from the region.