Veligonda project works expedited for water release

ONGOLE: Markapuram district authorities have expedited arrangements for the inauguration of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Reservoir Project (PSVRP), with the administration planning to release water into the project by August-end.

Key points

• Authorities have completed Tunnel-1 works, besides head regulators, feeder canal lining and benching works.
• Authorities continue to shift project oustees from villages that will be submerged under the Nallamala Sagar project.
• The project engineering wing and contractor have deployed special teams to complete the remaining works round the clock in shifts.

In practice, the trial run to release water from the Kollam Vagu head regulator to Nallamala Sagar through tunnels and feeder canals has been postponed after workers halted Tunnel-2 works for a few days after a worker's death at the site.

For context, the project engineering wing and contractor have deployed special teams to complete the remaining works round the clock in shifts. These include balance lining work in Tunnel-2, where the tunnel boring machine (TBM) was stuck, and removal of equipment from the tunnels. "Except the Tunnel-2 balance lining works and a few others, all major works completed and we hope all the balance works will also be completed by August 27 without fail and the project is fully readied for receiving waters by the date, " PSVRP engineering authorities stated.

Authorities have completed Tunnel-1 works, besides head regulators, feeder canal lining and benching works. They are now focusing on completing the remaining Tunnel-2 lining and removing electrical equipment.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to shift project oustees from villages that will be submerged under the Nallamala Sagar project. While authorities are providing infrastructure and other facilities at the rehabilitation colonies to facilitate the relocation of the oustees, collector M Vijaya Sunitha is monitoring the process.

For now, veligonda project works expedited for water release remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.