For nearly three decades, drought-prone regions across the erstwhile districts of Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa have battled chronic water scarcity and severe fluoride contamination.
Today, that long struggle is about to change in a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation sector.
On August 31st, 2026, the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project Phase - 1 was successfully inaugurated, with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu officially dedicating the megastructure to the nation.
The landmark event was graced by Irrigation Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu, MEIL Business Development & Projects Director B. Srinivas Reddy, along with other dignitaries and officials.
Designed to draw floodwaters from the Krishna River at the Srisailam Reservoir, the project features a twin-tunnel system spanning a combined 37 kilometers beneath the dense rock of the Nallamala Hills.
MEIL has played a crucial role in achieving breakthrough of tunnel 1 on January 14th 2021 and breakthrough of tunnel 2 on January 23rd 2024 uniting the entire twin-tunnel network and opening a clear subterranean pathway for floodwaters.
The project marks the largest-scale deployment of Double Shield Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for irrigation infrastructure in South India.
Asia’s longest continuous tunnel conveyor belt system was installed to extract thousands of tons of excavated stone and rock.
By delivering life-giving water to arid farmlands and providing clean, safe drinking water to millions, the completion of the Veligonda Project Phase - 1 fulfills a decades-old promise of prosperity for the region.