Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu on Friday said the Veligonda Project would be completed and water supplied by 2026.
The Minister reviewed the progress of the project through a video conference with officials of the Water Resources Department and representatives of the executing agencies. He directed that the lining work of Tunnel-2 be completed by June 2026 and emphasised that all remaining works must be taken up in a planned and systematic manner and finished before the onset of the next season.
Of the total 7 km of lining work required in Tunnel-2, about 3.2 km has been completed so far, while the remaining 3.6 km is targeted for completion by June 2026. The Minister said the works had slowed in November after Cyclone Montha caused water to enter the tunnels. After dewatering, the lining work resumed in December, and 432 metres of the targeted 456 metres had been completed.
At present, four gantry cranes are engaged in the Tunnel-2 lining work. The Minister instructed officials to deploy one more gantry crane immediately to ensure the remaining work is completed as scheduled.
Referring to the tunnel boring machine (TBM) stuck in Tunnel-2, the Minister said the Technical Committee had submitted its report to the government, and that necessary action to remove the TBM would be taken based on its recommendations.
He also directed that the feeder canal lining and retaining wall works be taken up immediately and completed by the end of the season. Acting on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s instructions, the Minister said water should be released to Veligonda during the current season itself. He assured that he would personally monitor the project to ensure its completion by 2026.
Water Resources Department Advisor Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief Narasimhamurthy, Project Chief Engineer Shyam Prasad, Superintending Engineer Abutalem, engineers, agency representatives, and senior officials participated in the review.
Published – December 26, 2025 08:50 pm IST
