Veligonda set to rewrite destiny of drought-hit western Prakasam

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has described the imminent completion and inauguration of the first phase of the Veligonda Project as a historic turning point for the drought-prone regions of western Prakasam and neighbouring districts. Taking to X, the Chief Minister said a new chapter in the region’s history would be written as Krishna waters finally reach millions of people who have waited for the project for nearly three decades. He said the long-cherished dream of the people of western Prakasam was now becoming a reality.

Naidu recalled that the project was conceived in 1996 with the objective of addressing the chronic water crisis in the region. Completing and inaugurating its first phase, he said, was an emotionally significant moment for him and a source of immense satisfaction. He positioned Veligonda as far more than an irrigation project, describing it as a lifeline for drought-hit farmers, a source of safe drinking water for families affected by fluoride contamination and a new avenue of opportunity for young people who have been forced to migrate in search of livelihoods.

The first phase is expected to provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and safe drinking water to around four lakh people, potentially transforming the agricultural and socio-economic landscape of the region. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the sacrifice of 11 villages whose residents were displaced for the project. Expressing gratitude to the affected families, he said their sacrifice had made the larger development project possible.

The project will channel Krishna waters through the Nallamala hills into the Nallamala Sagar, bringing a major new source of water to an area that has battled drought for generations. Naidu said the arrival of Krishna waters would not merely ease the region’s water crisis but also create fresh opportunities for agriculture, livelihoods and economic development.

Calling the occasion a historic milestone, the Chief Minister invited people to join the celebrations at the ‘Veligonda Panduga’, as the long-awaited flow of water marks what he described as the beginning of a new era for the region.