AP CM Releases Rs 300 Cr R&R Package for Veligonda Project Displaced Families
Markapuram, June 27 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday released ₹300 crore towards the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package for 2,351 families displaced by the Veligonda Project, assuring them that the government would safeguard their interests and ensure their rehabilitation.
Handing over the cheque at Gantavanipalle in Markapuram district after inspecting the project works, the Chief Minister described the surrender of ancestral lands for a public project as a great sacrifice and said governments have a moral responsibility to ensure affected families lead lives of dignity and prosperity.
Naidu said the Veligonda Project has displaced 7,225 people from several villages, including Kalanuthala, Sunkesula, Chintalamudipi, Buduncherla, Katamaraju Thanda, Sairam Nagar, Mettigondi, Basavayipalli, Lakshmipuram, Akkacheruvu and Gottipadu. He said the government was committed to extending justice and comprehensive rehabilitation to every displaced family.
Describing Veligonda as a historic irrigation project, the Chief Minister said Phase-I would be completed during the current season, providing irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to four lakh people.
On completion, Phase-II is expected to irrigate 3.25 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 11.25 lakh people. Overall, the project will provide irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres and drinking water to 23 lakh people, he said.
Naidu said the project would transform the drought-prone region by addressing chronic water scarcity and fluoride contamination.
The Chief Minister said the total cost of the Veligonda Project has risen to ₹10,580 crore, of which ₹6,736 crore has already been spent, while another ₹3,844 crore is required for completion.
Since assuming office in 2024, the coalition government has spent ₹759 crore on project works and sanctioned ₹905 crore towards rehabilitation and resettlement, including the ₹300 crore released on Saturday.
Alleging that the previous government had neglected the project and failed to compensate displaced families, Naidu said his government had accelerated the pending works and was committed to completing the project at the earliest.
He also announced plans to promote horticulture and agro-processing industries in Markapuram district, create employment opportunities for local youth, improve connectivity to Ramayapatnam Port to boost exports, and strengthen infrastructure in rehabilitation colonies and the newly formed district.
The Chief Minister appreciated Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu for closely monitoring the project and ensuring speedy execution of works.
He appealed to the people to support development-oriented governance and reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming drought-prone regions into prosperous agricultural hubs.
Ministers Nimmala Rama Naidu, Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, MP Srinivasulu Reddy and a large number of people attended the programme.
TNT KM
