Political leaders can easily lay foundation stones and promote development projects in front of cameras. But carving through mountains, constructing massive tunnels and delivering water to drought-prone regions requires years of sustained effort and determination. The Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project, considered the lifeline of Prakasam, Nellore and YSR Kadapa districts, has once again become the centre of a political debate over who deserves credit for its progress.
With Chandrababu Naidu claiming that the project was his brainchild, critics argue that the project’s history, construction progress and tunnel excavation figures present a different picture. They contend that merely laying a foundation stone cannot be considered development; the real achievement lies in transforming a proposal into a functioning project and completing its construction.
Veligonda Project: Origins in the 1970s
The roots of the Veligonda Project can be traced back to the 1970s. Public movements began in 1972-73 with the objective of diverting Krishna River water to Kambham Tank and providing relief to drought-prone areas.
On September 1, 1973, the Krishna Water Achievement Association was formed. In the following years, discussions took place at the government level regarding the feasibility of the project.
In 1982, the government ordered a feasibility report on the proposal to divert water through a tunnel system across the Nallamala hills. In 1983, preliminary survey works were authorised through GO 409.
1994 DPR and Chandrababu’s Foundation Stone
The first Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project was prepared in 1994.
Later, on March 5, 1996, then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the project at Gottipadia.
However, critics allege that the project did not make significant construction progress during the following nine years. According to them, although the foundation stone was laid, the project did not move into a substantial construction phase.
Critics have further alleged that the foundation stone was laid in a hurry ahead of parliamentary elections for political benefit.
Dispute Over Srisailam Water Levels
At the same time, critics have raised questions over decisions taken during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure concerning the minimum water level of the Srisailam Reservoir.
They argue that lowering the reservoir’s minimum water level could have affected the availability of water for the Veligonda Project. According to these claims, a reduction in the water level below the tunnel inlet level could have affected the possibility of transporting water through gravity.
YSR Government Gives the Project a New Direction
According to those who have studied the project’s history, the Veligonda Project received a major push after YS Rajasekhara Reddy came to power in 2004.
As part of the Jalayagnam programme, the project was redesigned and expanded. The earlier proposal for a single tunnel with limited capacity was replaced with a system of two high-capacity tunnels.
The redesigned project in 2005 envisaged the construction of two massive tunnels with diameters of 7 metres and 9.2 metres.
The government also expanded the capacity of Nallamala Sagar and completed several key structures, including the Sunkesula, Gottipadia and Kakarlagaps.
Major Tunnel Excavation Under YSR Government
With the deployment of modern Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), tunnel excavation was accelerated from 2008 onwards.
Between 2004 and 2014, approximately 20.333 kilometres of tunnel excavation was completed. This is estimated to account for 54.1% of the total tunnel excavation work.
This period is therefore considered one of the most significant phases in the construction history of the Veligonda Project.
Slower Progress Between 2014 and 2019
Critics allege that the pace of construction slowed during the 2014-2019 Chandrababu Naidu government.
According to the figures cited by critics, only 6.686 kilometres of tunnel excavation was completed during these five years, accounting for approximately 17.8% of the total work.
They also point to issues concerning contract conditions, price adjustments and the operation and maintenance of Tunnel Boring Machines. Critics have stated that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also raised objections concerning aspects of the project implementation.
జగన్ Government Accelerates the Final Phase
After YS Jagan Mohan Reddy became Chief Minister in 2019, the government once again accelerated work on the Veligonda Project.
The government used reverse tendering with the stated objective of reducing project costs and gave fresh momentum to stalled works.
The construction faced several extraordinary challenges, including the project’s location within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, environmental restrictions, extremely high temperatures inside the tunnels and difficulties in transporting heavy machinery.
TBM and Drill-and-Blast Methods Used
Where Tunnel Boring Machines could not operate effectively, construction teams used the drill-and-blast method.
Cross passages were also used as part of the tunnel construction process to overcome technical challenges and complete the works.
Despite the difficult geological and environmental conditions, the construction progressed toward the completion of both tunnels.
First and Second Tunnel Breakthroughs
The first tunnel breakthrough was achieved on January 13, 2021.
The second tunnel breakthrough was completed in January 2024.
Subsequently, on March 6, 2024, the two tunnels were dedicated to the nation.
The completion of both tunnels represented a major milestone in the decades-long history of the Veligonda Project.
Tunnel Excavation Data: Who Did How Much Work?
The tunnel excavation figures cited by YSRCP provide a comparison of the work carried out during different governments:
| Government Period | Tunnel Excavation | Share of Total Work |
|---|---|---|
| YS Rajasekhara Reddy Government (2004-14) | 20.333 km | 54.1% |
| Chandrababu Naidu Government (2014-19) | 6.686 km | 17.8% |
| YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Government (2019-24) | 10.568 km | 28.1% |
| YSR + Jagan Governments | 30.901 km | 82.2% |
According to these figures, the YSR and Jagan governments together completed 30.901 kilometres of tunnel excavation, accounting for 82.2% of the total tunnel excavation work.
YSRCP leaders argue that these figures provide a clear basis for assessing the contribution of different governments to the project’s construction.
Foundation Stone vs Actual Construction
The central political argument surrounding the Veligonda Project is therefore not merely about who laid the foundation stone, but about who transformed the project into a major construction undertaking.
Critics argue that the 1996 foundation stone alone cannot determine the project’s credit.
According to their argument, the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government transformed the project by redesigning it and laying the foundation for the construction of the massive twin tunnels, while the YS Jagan government completed the most challenging final stages of tunnel excavation and brought both tunnels into use.
Rehabilitation and Water Supply Still Remain Issues
Even after the completion of the major tunnel works, political differences continue over issues including full-scale water supply, rehabilitation and resettlement, and repairs to feeder canals.
These issues remain important in determining the project’s ultimate benefits to drought-prone regions.
A Project With a Four-Decade Construction Journey
The Veligonda Project is the result of a construction journey spanning several decades. Its history began with public movements in the 1970s, followed by feasibility studies, surveys, a DPR, the foundation stone in 1996, redesign and large-scale construction in the 2000s, and the eventual completion of the twin tunnels in 2024.
Against this backdrop, political observers argue that the project’s history cannot be rewritten merely through publicity campaigns or foundation-stone ceremonies.
The Credit Debate Continues
The political debate over the Veligonda Project is ultimately a debate over foundation versus execution.
YSRCP supporters argue that the available tunnel excavation figures show that the YSR and Jagan governments together accounted for 30.9 kilometres, or 82.2% of the total tunnel excavation.
Their argument is that laying a foundation stone and actually cutting through mountains to construct massive tunnels are two very different achievements.
The Veligonda Project therefore remains not only a major irrigation project but also a political symbol in Andhra Pradesh’s development debate. The construction data cited by the opposing sides is now being used to question claims of exclusive credit and to reopen the debate over who actually contributed the most to turning the Veligonda proposal into a functioning infrastructure project.
