Collector inspects Veligonda project tunnel

Dornala: Prakasam District Collector V Vinay Chand ordered the officials to speed up the Veligonda project works. He visited the other side of the Veligonda project tunnel and inspected the location where the head regulator would be constructed.

The Collector reached Patalaganga at Srisailam in the early morning and travelled on a boat for 25 km in the Srisailam reservoir, along with Atmakuru DFO Selvam, SE of projects Reddaiah and SDC of Markapuram Kondaiah, and reached Kollamvagu area.

The officials trekked another three km into the forest to reach the place, where the head regulator of the Veligonda project is proposed to construct on the other end of the tunnel. The Collector said that the foundation for the head regulator would be laid by the Chief Minister soon after the tenders were finalised.

He ordered the officials to complete the survey of the place. He said that the government is committed to complete the project by 2018. SE Reddaiah said that with the completion of the project, they will divert 43.58 tmc flood water from Srisailam project and supply water to 3,36,100 acres in 23 mandals of Prakasam, 27,200 acres in two mandals of Kadapa, 84,000 acres in five mandals in Nellore districts and quench the thirst of 15.25 lakh people in Prakasam district.

He explained to the Collector that the government sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the construction of head regulator at Kollamvagu with a capacity of 328 cusecs. These water will travel for 18.82 km and reach Nallamala Sagar through the two tunnels, he added.