Naidu to inspect Veligonda project works today

Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will take stock of the progress of the prestigious Veligonda Project during his visit to the project site on Saturday. The project is aimed at transforming the drought-prone regions of Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore and Kadapa districts by providing irrigation and drinking water security.

He will also participate in the Sanjeevani healthcare programme in Giddalur constituency as part of the govt’s efforts to strengthen public health services.The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to 4.47 lakh acres and drinking water supply to 15.25 lakh people across 30 mandals in four districts. It will also address the long-standing fluoride contamination problem affecting several areas.The Veligonda Project is being executed in two stages. Stage-I will provide irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to four lakh people, while Stage-II will cover 3.28 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 11.25 lakh people.The govt has already spent more than Rs 5,000 crore on stage-I works. Excavation of tunnel-I, stretching nearly 19 km, along with the exit channel and link channel works, has been completed.

Feeder canal, Teegaleru and Gottipadiya main canal works have also been completed. Works related to two head regulators, tunnel lining, approach channel and eastern main canal are in the final stages.The govt has spent Rs 190 crore towards Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) measures. Families displaced from 11 villages are being rehabilitated, and the Chief Minister will interact with beneficiaries after inspecting the project.Later, Naidu will participate in the Sanjeevani programme at Krishnamsettipalli Primary Health Centre in Giddalur constituency. The initiative is part of the vision of achieving a Healthy Andhra Pradesh by providing accessible and technology-driven healthcare services.Sanjeevani is a digital healthcare platform designed to connect the entire health ecosystem, from Primary Health Centres and Health Sub-Centres to District Hospitals and Super-Speciality Services, through a single platform.

The programme aims to establish an AI-enabled doctor system supported by digital health records, ensuring timely and affordable medical services.The chief minister will interact with Sanjeevani beneficiaries and medical staff at the Primary Health Centre and later address a public meeting. He will also hold a review meeting with TDP leaders and party workers.As per the schedule, Naidu will arrive at Ghantavanipalle in Dornala mandal at 10.45 am. He will inspect Veligonda Project works from 11 am to 12.20 pm, followed by a review meeting with officials and interaction with beneficiaries at 12.35 pm. He will reach Krishnamsettipalli in Giddalur constituency and participate in a meeting with Sanjeevani beneficiaries and medical staff at 1.10 pm. He will address a public meeting at 3.35 pm and hold a meeting with TDP leaders and workers at 6.15 pm.