Vijayawada: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu expressed his dissatisfaction with the delay in completing the 432-meter lining work of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda project. Although it was originally scheduled to be completed in April, only 72 meters of work have been completed so far.
The minister, together with irrigation officials, including Chief Engineer M. Venkateswara Rao, reviewed progress on the Veligonda project. He stressed the urgency of accelerating the work of Veligonda Tunnel-2, including the task of benches and linings, if they are to achieve the goal of completing the project in June 2026 set by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Regarding the Tunnel Drilling Machine (TBM) that remains stuck in Tunnel-2, Ramanaidu announced the establishment of a committee to determine the value of machine removal.
He informed officials that the cabinet had approved a critical mission of Rs 106.39 crore, which was related to Package-2 and Package-4 of the Veligonda project. The cabinet also has green lighting works related to the feeder canal, the head engineering and head regulator of the Teegaleru canal, suitable for the main eastern canals.
