Naidu Slams YSRCP Over Critical Veligonda Project Delays and Mismanagement
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has criticized the former YSRCP administration for significant delays in the Veligonda project. He pledged over Rs 3,000 crore to complete the irrigation initiative and rectify failures in the rehabilitation of displaced families, labeling the previous government's actions as misleading.
Highlights
- •Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has criticized the previous YSRCP government for neglecting the Veligonda project.
- •Naidu proposed a museum to highlight the 'politics of deception' allegedly practiced by the former administration.
- •The current coalition government has sanctioned Rs 905 crore for rehabilitation, with a total commitment of over Rs 3,000 crore to finish the project.
- •The Chief Minister claimed the former government failed to complete canal works and address the needs of over 7,000 displaced families.
During a recent visit to Gantavanipalle in the Yerragondapalem constituency, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sharply criticized the previous YSRCP administration. Focusing on the persistent Veligonda project delays, the Chief Minister advocated for the creation of a museum dedicated to the alleged deceptive political practices of the former government, intending to serve as a cautionary lesson for future generations.
Addressing Veligonda Project Delays and Rehabilitation Efforts
N. Chandrababu Naidu leveled serious allegations against his predecessors, claiming they largely ignored the critical Veligonda project. He highlighted that the previous administration reportedly invested only Rs 980 crore into the infrastructure effort. Furthermore, he pointed out a significant disparity in relief measures, asserting that the former regime provided rehabilitation support to only 96 families out of the 7,225 project-affected households.
In a direct comparison of administrative priorities, the Chief Minister outlined his government's commitment to rectifying these shortcomings. The coalition government has officially sanctioned Rs 905 crore dedicated specifically to rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) initiatives. Naidu further pledged that the state would allocate upwards of Rs 3,000 crore to ensure the long-awaited Veligonda project reaches completion.
Detailing the extent of the neglect, the Chief Minister claimed the previous government left several critical tasks unfinished. These include failures to distribute compensation to displaced families, incomplete feeder canal construction, and the abandonment of tunnel debris. Additionally, he noted that the project was controversially inaugurated without retrieving a tunnel-boring machine that remained stuck underground. To address the fiscal legacy left behind, the current administration confirmed it has successfully cleared pending bills amounting to Rs 140 crore, which were unpaid by the prior leadership.
N. Chandrababu Naidu maintained that the former administration repeatedly disseminated misleading information regarding major state developments. Reaffirming his government's stance, he stated that their primary focus remains the swift and efficient conclusion of the Veligonda project, ensuring that justice is served to every displaced family impacted by the construction. This commitment marks a significant shift in project management and public accountability compared to the previous political tenure.
