The Veligonda Project β officially the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project β has had its first phase inaugurated by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister at Gottipadiya. This note gives the Veligonda Project facts on tunnels, districts and capacities that APPSC papers test.
Why in News?
AP CM inaugurated Phase-I of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project, completed at a cost of about Rs 7,983 crore out of a projected Rs 10,200 crore.
Phase-I diverts 10.70 TMC to Nallamala Sagar, providing irrigation to 1.19 lakh acres and drinking water to about 4 lakh people.
Veligonda Project: Key Facts for Prelims
- Type: major irrigation-cum-drinking water scheme diverting Krishna floodwater from the foreshore of Srisailam Reservoir to Nallamala Sagar by gravity.
- Twin tunnels of 18.8 km under the Nallamala Hills carry the water; Nallamala Sagar reservoir then feeds a canal network.
- Beneficiary districts: Prakasam, Nellore (SPSR) and Kadapa (YSR) β the fluoride-affected, drought-prone western Prakasam belt.
- Full project: irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres, drinking water to 23 lakh people across 30 mandals.
- Purpose: fix recurring crop failure from erratic rainfall and replace fluoride-contaminated groundwater.
- Named after Poola Subbaiah, a farmers’ leader who campaigned for the project; conceived in the 1990s (foundation 2004).
Interconnected static points β Andhra Pradesh irrigation
- Srisailam Dam: on the Krishna in Nandyal district (AP)βNagarkurnool (Telangana) border; second-largest working hydro station in India.
- Other Srisailam-based schemes: Srisailam Right Bank Canal, Telugu Ganga, GaleruβNagari (GNSS), HandriβNeeva (HNSS), and Telangana’s Kalwakurthy lift.
- Nallamala Hills: part of the Eastern Ghats between the Krishna and Pennar; hold the NagarjunasagarβSrisailam Tiger Reserve, India’s largest tiger reserve.
- Krishna water sharing: Bachawat Tribunal (KWDT-I, 1976) and Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (KWDT-II); Krishna River Management Board under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.
- Other major AP projects: Polavaram (Godavari, national project), Nagarjuna Sagar, Somasila (Pennar), Gundlakamma, Vamsadhara.
Quick Revision Table: Veligonda Project
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project |
| Water source | Srisailam Reservoir foreshore (Krishna) |
| Conveyance | Twin tunnels, 18.8 km, under Nallamala Hills |
| Storage | Nallamala Sagar |
| Districts | Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa |
| Phase-I benefit | 10.70 TMC; 1.19 lakh acres; 4 lakh people |
| Full project | 4.47 lakh acres; 23 lakh people; 30 mandals |
Trap / Confusing Points: Veligonda Project
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Veligonda draws water from the Godavari | No β Krishna water via Srisailam |
| Water is pumped by lift | No β gravity flow through tunnels |
| Beneficiary districts include Guntur | No β Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa |
| Nallamala Hills are part of the Western Ghats | No β Eastern Ghats |
5 Practice MCQs on Veligonda Project
1. The Veligonda Project diverts water from which reservoir?
a. Nagarjuna Sagar
b. Srisailam
c. Somasila
d. Pulichintala
Ans: B
Explanation: Floodwater is drawn from the foreshore of the Srisailam Reservoir on the Krishna.
2. The twin tunnels of the Veligonda Project pass under which hills?
a. Seshachalam
b. Nallamala
c. Erramala
d. Velikonda
Ans: B
Explanation: The 18.8 km twin tunnels run under the Nallamala Hills to Nallamala Sagar.
3. Which of the following districts is NOT a beneficiary of the Veligonda Project?
a. Prakasam
b. Nellore
c. Kadapa
d. Kurnool
Ans: D
Explanation: Beneficiaries are Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts.
4. Under Phase-I, the quantity of water diverted to Nallamala Sagar is:
a. 5.5 TMC
b. 10.70 TMC
c. 20 TMC
d. 43.5 TMC
Ans: B
Explanation: Phase-I diverts 10.70 TMC, irrigating 1.19 lakh acres.
5. India’s largest tiger reserve, located in the Nallamala Hills, is:
a. NagarjunasagarβSrisailam
b. Papikonda
c. Kawal
d. Amrabad
Ans: A
Explanation: NSTR spans about 3,728 sq km across the Nallamala forests.
Exam tip: Revise Veligonda Project together with the static links above; UPSC and APPSC prelims often frame questions from these interconnections.
To learn current affairs from exam point of view, Click here.
To know more about the Veligonda Phase-1 inauguration, Click here.
