Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the release of ₹200 crore in compensation for families displaced by the Veligonda irrigation project on Wednesday. This latest disbursement brings the total compensation paid to ₹518 crore, aimed at supporting those affected by the project.
During a meeting with representatives of displaced families at the Assembly,Naidu acknowledged sacrifices made by these individuals for the benefit of major irrigation initiatives. He assured them that the remaining compensation would be distributed soon.
The families expressed gratitude for the government's assistance. Officials noted that under One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme,approximately ₹318 crore has already been allocated to 2,557 families who opted to build their own homes. On Wednesday, Naidu presented a cheque for ₹200 crore specifically to 1,600 of these displaced families.
In addition to financial support,the government is working on infrastructure improvements in seven rehabilitation colonies designated for the displaced. Six of these colonies have seen infrastructure development completed, with the exception of Vemulakota. Families are gradually relocating to the newly constructed homes in the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) colonies.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu emphasized significance of the Veligonda project for residents of drought-prone and fluoride-affected regions in the former Prakasam district. He highlighted that the foundation stone for the project was laid in 1996 by Naidu.
Ramanaidu also pointed out that Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy,president of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP),had inaugurated the project prior to its completion . He noted that the current coalition government has set a target to finish the project by August 2026 .
To meet this deadline,the minister stated that all work related to the head regulator,including construction of CC walls and wing walls, is scheduled for completion by May 2026. Additionally, the necessary work on a 5-km stretch of tunnel requiring benching has been finalized within last two years .
Ramanaidu criticized the previous YSRCP administration for abandoning efforts to remove the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from the site. He reported that the TBM,which weighs 1,900 tonnes and measures 175 meters in length, is now close to being removed, with only about 300 tonnes of debris remaining. He projected that this debris would be cleared within five days.
