Velugonda Project Set for Inauguration: Krishna Waters to Bring Relief to Drought-Hit Regions

The long-awaited Velugonda Project in Andhra Pradesh is set to be dedicated to the nation on August 31 by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The project is expected to provide major relief to drought-prone regions of the erstwhile Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts, where water shortages have affected agriculture, livelihoods and access to drinking water for decades. Key works have now been completed, allowing Krishna floodwaters to be diverted through twin tunnels and feeder canals into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir. During the first phase, around 10.70 TMC of water is planned to be stored, providing irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to nearly four lakh people.

The project includes twin tunnels stretching about 18.8 km and a 21.8-km feeder canal connecting them to the Nallamala Sagar reservoir. The reservoir is designed to store 53.85 TMC of water, which will subsequently be supplied through the Tigaleru, Gottipadu and Eastern Main canals. The project is ultimately expected to provide irrigation to around 4.47 lakh acres across 30 mandals in Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Of this, approximately 3.36 lakh acres are in Prakasam and Markapuram districts, 84,000 acres in Nellore and 27,200 acres in Kadapa. The project is also expected to provide drinking water to around 24 lakh people in fluoride-affected villages. According to the project details, the current estimated cost is around ₹10,200 crore, with approximately ₹7,983 crore spent so far.