Tadepalli: YSRCP President and Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded urgent action from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to complete the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) works for the Veligonda project. In a recent post on social media platform X, Jagan emphasized the need for immediate payments to facilitate water storage this season, crucial for meeting the irrigation and drinking water needs of the drought-stricken Prakasam district.
Jagan accused the TDP coalition government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, of neglecting the Veligonda project despite its importance. He noted that under the YSRCP’s previous administration, two critical tunnels of the project were completed, overcoming significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Tunnel-1 was dedicated in January 2021, followed by Tunnel-2 in January 2024, realizing the vision of the late Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who initiated the project in 2005.
However, Jagan pointed out that the R&R work remains unfinished, with around Rs 1,200 crores required to finalize the process. He criticized the current administration for inflating civil work estimates for personal gain while neglecting the rehabilitation of displaced people. Jagan highlighted similar negligence in other projects, such as Gandikota and Pulichintala, where the YSRCP government had to step in with substantial funds to enable water storage.
Jagan urged the Chandrababu Naidu-led government to prioritize the completion of the Veligonda project’s R&R works to ensure the project’s benefits reach the people of Prakasam district.
