VIJAYAWADA: All arrangements have been made in Markapuram district for the formal inauguration of Phase-I of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Irrigation Project on Monday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will dedicate the headworks to the nation under the State official theme ‘Veligonda Jalasirulu - Abhivriddhiki Rekkalu’ (Veligonda Water Wealth - Wings to Development), formally commissioning the project gates to release Krishna floodwaters into the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.
The operational launch will activate the intake head regulators and primary feeder networks, which are engineered to channel floodwaters diverted from the forebay of the Srisailam reservoir near Kollam Vagu through twin tunnels.
Ahead of the grand event, project authorities successfully conducted a trial run on Sunday by releasing water through the twin tunnels, blowing warning sirens for downstream areas as eye-catching streams of water flowed into the project site. Under Phase-I, the State plans to impound an initial quantum of 10.70 TMC of water, immediately extending irrigation coverage to 1.19 lakh acres while addressing severe drinking water scarcity for four lakh people.
Once fully operational across all stages, the complete project design envisions storing 53.85 TMC to irrigate 4.47 lakh acres and provide fluoride-free drinking water to nearly 23 lakh people across 30 mandals in Markapuram, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts.
Beyond immediate water delivery, officials anticipate that stabilising the irrigation supply will encourage crop diversification away from high-risk dryland farming, reduce reliance on depleted groundwater table, and stimulate investments in horticulture, agro-processing, and food processing to drive rural economic growth and curb out-migration.
AP clears R&R hurdles, pays Rs 768 cr to 6,206 families displaced by project
The inaugural event will feature the unveiling of a dedicated commemorative pylon, followed by special Jala Harathi and religious rituals at the head regulator venue before the Chief Minister operates the mechanical gates.
The ceremony will culminate in a massive public meeting (Praja Vedika) arranged at Gantavanipalli village, where thousands of residents and local representatives are expected to take part.
To facilitate the initial filling of the reservoir, the State government cleared final administrative hurdles by expediting pending Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) packages, disbursing Rs 768 crore to 6,206 project-displaced families within a 48-day window, alongside an additional Rs 169 crore sanction for unlisted beneficiaries and a Rs 2 lakh financial grant for individuals reaching 18 years of age post-2019.
According to the official programme schedule, Naidu will depart his Undavalli residence by helicopter at 9.30 am and arrive at the Gantavanipalli helipad in Dornala mandal at 10.15 am. Between 10.35 and 11.20 am, he will participate in the inauguration ceremony, perform rituals, and operate the head regulator gates to release water into Nallamala Sagar. He will address the Praja Vedika public gathering from 11.30 am to 1.20 pm before departing Gantavanipalli at 1.30 pm to return to Undavalli by 2.15 pm.
Combined Prakasam district SP V Harshavardhan Raju personally inspected a full convoy trial run on Sunday along the route connecting the Gantavanipalli helipad, the Jala Harathi site, the gate control area, and the public meeting venue.
