Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday disbursed ₹300 crore under the Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) package to 2,351 displaced families of the Velingoda project.

The package was provided to the affected residents from the villages of Kalunutala, Sunkesula, Chintalamudipi, Buduncherla, Katamraju Thanda, Sairam Nagar, Mettigondi, Basavayipalli, Lakshmipuram, Akkacheruvu, and Gottipadu.

The government is also arranging rehabilitation for the displaced residents from certain villages near the site of the upcoming Collectorate.

Addressing the people later at Yerragondapalem in Markapuram district, Mr. Naidu said, “In addition to creating a new district, we are establishing the Collectorate within the colony for the displaced persons. We have also completed the provision of basic amenities in these colonies. Thanks to the sacrifices made by the displaced people, irrigation water will be supplied to 4.47 lakh acres and drinking water to 23 lakh people.”

“Under Phase-1 of the Veligonda project, irrigation water will be supplied to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to four lakh people during this season. Under Phase-2, irrigation water will be supplied to 3.25 lakh acres and drinking water to 11.25 lakh people,” the Chief Minister said.

NTR’s brainchild

“Veligonda project will transform the fortunes of four districts. This region faces fluoride issue, causing health problems for the local residents. The Markapuram region is known as a drought-prone area, and no one ever imagined that Krishna river water will reach here. Former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao first conceived the idea of bringing Krishna water to this region,” Mr. Naidu said.

“The project had been conceptualised during NTR’s tenure in 1985. When the former Chief Minister visited Prakasam district in 1995, the local farmers said that if floodwaters could be diverted to the region, they could sustain their livelihoods. We had laid the foundation stone for the project in 1996. So far, we have spent ₹6,736 crore, out of the estimated total cost of ₹10,580 crore,” Mr. Naidu said

Another ₹3,844 crore would be spent on the project, he said. Since assuming office in 2024, the NDA government had spent ₹759 crore and sanctioned ₹905 crore for the displaced persons. “Out of that, we have released ₹300 crore today. Due to bank holidays, the R&R funds will be credited to the accounts of the displaced persons in the next two days,” the Chief Minister said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Naidu inspected the works at the Veligonda project at Gantavaripalem. Interacting with the the locals later, the Chief Minister he assured to improve the lives of the farmers and the displaced people.