Justice for displaced families, completion of Veligonda is my guarantee: CM Babu

Metro India News | ERRAGONDAPALEM: 

Reiterating his government’s commitment to completing the long-pending Veligonda Project and ensuring justice for every displaced family, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday declared that both rehabilitation and project completion were his personal guarantee.

Addressing farmers and project oustees during his visit to Yerragondapalem constituency in Markapuram district, the Chief Minister said development projects could succeed only when the interests of displaced families were fully protected.

During the visit, Chandrababu inspected the ongoing construction works at the Veligonda Project and reviewed progress with officials. He also handed over a cheque worth Rs 300 crore towards the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package for 2,351 displaced families, assuring that the amount would be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts within the next two days.

Calling the surrender of land for public projects a significant sacrifice, the Chief Minister said Veligonda would transform the future of four districts by providing irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres and drinking water to nearly 23 lakh people. He announced that Phase-I of the project would begin supplying water during the current season, benefiting 1.19 lakh acres and around four lakh people, while Phase-II, expected to be completed next year, would extend irrigation to 3.25 lakh acres and drinking water to over 11 lakh people.

The Chief Minister recalled that the project was conceived during the tenure of N.T. Rama Rao and that he himself laid its foundation stone in 1996. According to current estimates, the project will cost Rs 10,580 crore, of which Rs 6,736 crore has already been spent. Since assuming office in 2024, the coalition government has spent Rs 759 crore on construction and sanctioned Rs 905 crore for rehabilitation.

Chandrababu said Veligonda would not only address chronic drought and fluoride-related problems in the region but also improve land values, create employment through agro-processing industries, and boost connectivity with Ramayapatnam Port.

Criticizing the previous YSRCP government, the Chief Minister alleged that it delayed construction, neglected rehabilitation, and misled the public by claiming the project was complete despite several critical works remaining unfinished. He asserted that the present government was accelerating tunnel excavation, feeder canal construction and rehabilitation works simultaneously.

Appealing to the public to support the NDA government beyond considerations of caste or region, Chandrababu urged people to vote based on development and good governance. He praised Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu for closely monitoring the project and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to completing Veligonda while ensuring that no displaced family was left behind.