Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s recent announcement on the formation of Markapuram district has brought much delight to the people of the region. Many from Srisailam and Darsi demand that their mandals, too, be included in the district.
As per the proposals cleared by the CM, Markapuram district will be created by merging Kanigiri, Giddaluru and Yerragondapalem, leaving Darsi in the current Prakasam district, while Addanki from Bapatla district and Kandukur in SPSR Nellore district will be merged with the reorganised Prakasam district.
The decision brought much relief to the people of Kanigiri, Giddaluru and Yerragondapalem as the new district headquarters is much closer compared to Ongole. People from these mandals have to travel nearly three hours to reach Ongole, which is over 100 km away, whereas Markapuram is in a radius of 40-45 km.
The residents of Srisailam mandal prefer to stay in the jurisdiction of Markapuram, which is at a distance of around 80 km, over Nandyal, which is 165 km away. Some politicians, however, don’t support this demand owing to the presence of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the 52 Shakta Peethas.
Speaking to The Hindu, Markapuram MLA Kandula Narayana Reddy said political party leaders in that region have raised objections to the merger of Srisailam with Markapuram. However, he was hopeful of merging a part of Darsi into the new district. He has given a representation to the government to include Donakonda area, which has been identified as a corridor for industrial development.
“The backward areas of Markapuram are likely to get a new lease of life with the creation of new district. Already, Prakasam district has been witnessing rapid industrialisation owing to its proximity to Ramayapatnam Port. On behalf of the people, I have urged the government to merge Donakonda and Kurichedu with Markapuram so that the local youth get employment opportunities.”
Located at an average elevation of 476 feet, Markapuram is surrounded by the Nallamala Forest, which was a long-time stronghold of various Maoist groups. A major encounter in 2010 killed Maoist ideologist Sakhamuri Appa Rao. There has been no recent reports of Maoist activity in the region owing to increased deployment of security forces and development initiatives.
Once the Veligonda Project, which began in 2006, gets completed, it will irrigate 4.47 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 15 lakh people in 30 mandals of fluoride- and drought-affected areas in the region by diverting 43.5 tmcft of floodwater from the Krishna river and storing it in Nallamalasagar Reservoir.
Farmer leader Chunduri Ranga Rao said the creation of Markapuram district will not only reduce the distance to the district headquarters, but also increase the hopes of faster completion of Veligonda Project. “Around ₹1,100 crore is needed to evacuate 11 villages under Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package.”
CPI Prakasam District Secretary M.L. Narayana said if Darsi is not included in the new district, it will be an injustice to the local people. Donakonda is over 100 km away from Ongole, while it is just 25 km from Markapuram. Similarly, Kurichedu is at a distance of 80 km from Ongole, and only 45 km from Markapuram.”
He suggested to the government to merge Kurichedu, Donakonda, Darsi, Mundlamuru and Tallur mandals with the new district.
Published – November 28, 2025 06:51 pm IST
