Veligonda Project: Congress Claims 82% of Work Was Completed Under YSR

The completion of the first phase of the Veligonda Project, awaited for nearly three decades, is a positive development for the drought-prone regions of Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee said. The party expressed hope that the project would improve irrigation and drinking water availability in parts of Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts. However, the Congress asserted that the contribution and vision of former Chief Minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) in shaping the project could not be overlooked.

The Congress said Veligonda’s potential to provide irrigation to around 4.5 lakh acres and drinking water to nearly 23 lakh people was the result of YSR’s Jalayagnam initiative. It accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of attempting to claim credit for work largely carried out during YSR’s tenure.

Taking a swipe at Naidu, the party alleged that while he laid the foundation stone for the project on March 5, 1996, progress remained slow for the following nine years amid delays over approvals, funding, advisory processes and detailed project reports.

According to the Congress, YSR, after assuming office in 2004, gave fresh momentum to the project and transformed it into a larger irrigation scheme. It said the project was redesigned to include twin tunnels, Nallamala Sagar and three major dams.

The party claimed that nearly 22 kilometres of tunnel construction was completed during YSR’s tenure and that around Rs 4,000 crore was spent on the project under the Jalayagnam programme. It also credited the YSR government with completing land acquisition and compensation-related work for the Gottipadu and Sunkesula dams.

The AP Congress further claimed that 82 per cent of the project work was completed during YSR’s tenure, challenging Naidu to substantiate his claims of having completed the project. It said Naidu may have initiated the project in 1996, but the credit for giving it shape and advancing its major works belonged to YSR.

The party urged the government to expedite Phase-II of the Veligonda Project and ensure a comprehensive, transparent rehabilitation and resettlement programme for project-affected families.