# Andhra Pradesh water project development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/andhra-pradesh-water-project-development > Updated: 2026-09-06T04:59:24.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3. The Andhra Pradesh government is advancing two major water infrastructure initiatives: the Veligonda and Polavaram projects. For the Veligonda Project, officials aim to divert water to Nallamala Sagar to mitigate drought and fluoride issues in the Rayalaseema and Prakasam districts. Engineering teams have been working in shifts to complete tunnel lining, including work in Tunnel-2, following a temporary pause caused by a worker's death. As of late August, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu officially launched Phase 1 of the project by releasing 10.7 TMC of Krishna water into Nallamala Sagar. The initiative is expected to provide drinking water to nearly 25 lakh residents and irrigation for lakhs of acres in drought-prone areas. To support resettlement, the government has disbursed ₹768 crore to 6,206 evacuee families. Following the project's recent inauguration, a search operation was launched in the Markapuram district for two youths, Koppala Raj Kumar and Kuppala Vinay Kumar, who went missing in the Veligonda Project feeder canal. The individuals were reportedly swept away while attempting to view the water. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has ordered intensified search operations and directed officials to implement special security measures at the feeder canal and Nallamala Sagar. Officials have warned the public against entering the water due to rapid currents and uneven depths. Regarding the Polavaram Project, the government has accelerated the completion deadline to March 2027. Civil works are reported at 90 per cent completion, with land acquisition at 94 per cent. ## Claims - Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu released 10.7 TMC of Krishna water into Nallamala Sagar to launch Phase 1 of the Veligonda project. (single source) - The Andhra Pradesh government spent over ₹2,400 crore on the Veligonda Project during the last two years. (single source) - The Veligonda Project is expected to transform the economic landscape and agricultural prosperity of the Markapuram region. (single source) - The project is intended to provide irrigation for lakhs of acres and drinking water for approximately 25 lakh residents. (single source) - The government disbursed ₹768 crore to 6,206 evacuee families affected by the project. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Veligonda Project feeder canal search continues for two missing youths Search operations are underway in Andhra Pradesh for two youths swept away by strong currents in the Veligonda Project feeder canal. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veligonda-project-feeder-canal-search-continues-for-two-missing-youths ### 2026-08-22: Veligonda Project works expedited for August water release Andhra Pradesh is expediting the Veligonda Reservoir Project for an August water release while distributing Rs 768 crore in total compensation to project evacuees. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veligonda-project-works-expedited-for-august-water-release ### 2026-08-13: Andhra Pradesh announces updated timelines for Veligonda and Polavaram water projects Andhra Pradesh officials have announced accelerated timelines for the Polavaram Project (March 2027) and the Veligonda Project, which aims to release water to Nallamala Sagar by late August. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andhra-pradesh-announces-updated-timelines-for-veligonda-and-polavaram-water-projects --- Cite as: Andhra Pradesh water project development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/andhra-pradesh-water-project-development