Amaravati, August 30: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a strong attack on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the Velugonda Project. Reddy accused Naidu of hijacking the project.
In a post on the social media platform X, Reddy expressed his joy that his father’s dream, the Velugonda Project, has now become a reality. He stated that he takes great satisfaction in being part of this significant initiative, highlighting that his government completed the challenging twin tunnels and dedicated them to the nation, with Krishna River water now flowing through them.
He emphasized that Velugonda serves as a lifeline for millions of families suffering from fluorosis due to a lack of clean drinking water, as well as for farmers who have long awaited irrigation water. However, he criticized the propaganda campaign led by Naidu and his “yellow media” (supportive media), describing it as shocking. Reddy noted that the recent attempts to rewrite the project’s history and claim credit for others’ work are evident.
Addressing Naidu directly, Reddy stated, “Garu, the history of Velugonda is clear: you only laid the foundation stone. The vision and complete development of this project belonged to Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The crucial twin tunnels were completed during our government. What you are doing is merely stealing credit.”
Reddy asserted that no matter how much Naidu and his supportive media try to alter history, the truth remains unchanged. He recalled that in 1996, just before elections, Naidu hastily laid the foundation stone and then abandoned the project. Despite being in power until 2004, he failed to advance the project, spending only ₹1 million during that time, which was merely for the foundation ceremony and public meeting arrangements. This fact alone exposes Naidu’s lack of commitment to Velugonda.
After Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy became Chief Minister, he transformed the Velugonda Project under the ‘Jalayagnam’ initiative. Construction of the twin tunnels, Nallamala Sagar reservoir, three dams, feeder channels, and main canals began, making the project a reality. The lifeline of Velugonda is its 37.587-kilometer-long twin tunnels. Without these tunnels, Krishna River water cannot reach the project. Of the total tunnel length, 20.333 kilometers were completed during Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure. In contrast, only 6.686 kilometers were completed during Naidu’s term from 2014 to 2019, without achieving a single breakthrough in any tunnel.
Reddy pointed out that despite the COVID-19 pandemic and severe economic challenges, his government completed the remaining and most difficult 10.568 kilometers of tunnel construction. Tunnel-1 was completed in January 2021, and Tunnel-2 in January 2024. The twin tunnels were dedicated to the nation on March 6, 2024. Additionally, they undertook the work of connecting the head regulator and canals to prepare the system for water delivery. Reddy questioned how Naidu could claim to have completed the entire project without making significant contributions, labeling it as another example of his habit of political credit theft.
He further criticized Naidu for failing to advance the 131-bed super specialty hospital at Peddadoranala, which was initiated by his government, and for halting the construction of a government medical college in Markapuram, aimed at providing quality healthcare services to the underprivileged. Reddy accused Naidu of attempting to privatize the medical college for the benefit of his close associates, which should have been fully completed and operated in the public sector.
Reddy questioned Naidu’s neglect of the backward areas, stating, “If we completed the twin tunnels in 2024, why did you fail to complete the rehabilitation of displaced families in 26 months? Why was water not delivered to Nallamala Sagar? Why the two-year delay in providing irrigation and drinking water benefits to the people? Additionally, displaced families have not received full payments for rehabilitation and resettlement packages. Hundreds of families are already expressing dissatisfaction over not receiving compensation under the resettlement package, yet they are being pressured to vacate their villages. They complain that their electricity connections have been cut off and drinking water supply has been halted.”
He concluded by questioning Naidu’s concern for these issues, urging him to focus on filling Nallamala Sagar, providing irrigation water to farmers, and ensuring clean drinking water reaches fluorosis-affected areas. Reddy emphasized the need to complete the Peddadoranala super specialty hospital and Markapuram government medical college, stating that this is what the people in these backward areas truly need, rather than publicity or attempts to take credit.
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