A.P. CM lays stone for ₹456-crore Veligonda feeder canal project

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Veligonda project feeder canal lining work to be undertaken at a cost of ₹456 crore at Gantavanipally in Markapuram district on Wednesday. He visited Yerragondapalem constituency in Markapuram for the first time after formation of the new district.

Mr. Naidu, along with farmers Ammireddy Venkateswara Reddy and Suravaram Gandivira Reddy, inspected the feeder canal works. After examining the project model, he spoke to the engineering officials in different areas of the project where the Veligonda tunnel works are being done. He insisted that the works were completed within 14 weeks.

Addressing the public at ‘Markapuram Zilla Kala, Veligondatho Jala Kala, Horticulture Rythula Jeevithallo Kalakala’ programme later, Mr. Naidu said, “Of the ₹9,081 crore required for this project, ₹5,451 crore has been spent on its construction, ₹484 crore on land acquisition and ₹184 crore on renovation works.”

“We have planned to complete this project in two phases. Over ₹2,540 crore must be spent to complete the works. In the last 20 months, we have spent ₹540 crore and the works are apace. The project will dedicate it to the nation by the end of July, 2026,“ he said.

“Last year, we concentrated on the Handri-Neeva project, and this year we are focusing on Veligonda project. By the time of Godavari Pushkaralu next year, we will complete the Polavaram project,” he said.