Veligonda Project: A Long-Awaited Lifeline for Andhra's Thirsty Districts

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2025-10-13 17:14:04 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 20:06:12

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 10

---

In a passionate plea, former Rajya Sabha member Dr. N Tulasireddy and a gathering of concerned citizens in Giddalur have demanded the Andhra Pradesh government's attention to a decades-old promise. The Veligonda Project, envisioned to quench the thirst of three districts, has languished for 31 years, leaving Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa districts parched and in need of urgent irrigation and drinking water solutions.

The event, organized by Jana Vignana Vedika, brought to light the project's potential to transform lives. Dr. Tulasireddy's call for action emphasized the need for a substantial Rs 3600 crore allocation in this fiscal year to expedite the project's completion. With this funding, the project could provide irrigation to 4.50 lakh acres and drinking water to a staggering 15 lakh people.

Speakers at the gathering highlighted the project's historical neglect and the dire consequences of delay. Prakasam district, despite being formed 50 years ago, has only 11% of its agriculture supported by canals, according to former MLC KS Lakshmana Rao. The district's residents grapple with water scarcity and fluoride-related issues, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Social analyst T Dhanunjaya Reddy attributed the project's stagnation to administrative blunders, such as tunnel diameter reductions and phased construction.

The gathering concluded with a unified demand for action, including proper compensation for displaced individuals, adherence to quality construction standards, and a tribute to KV Subbareddy, the project's visionary, by naming the central canal after him. With various farmer organizations, retired employees, and community leaders in attendance, the call for the Veligonda Project's completion resonates as a collective plea for a brighter, more sustainable future for Andhra's thirsty districts.

Go!