Tunnel Construction Stats Highlight YSR Reddy, Jagan Contributions Over Naidu’s Tenure

In a press briefing held in Markapuram, senior YSRCP campaign leader Kakumanu Rajasekhar presented a statistical comparison of tunnel excavation progress across successive Andhra Pradesh governments. He emphasized that the Velikonda project’s two major tunnels, a pivotal component of the wider irrigation plan, were largely completed before the current chief minister’s term.

Under Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s Jalayagnam initiative, the project incorporated two tunnels, Nallamala Sagar reservoir, three dams, multiple auxiliary canals, and main distribution channels intended to serve 447,000 acres and supply drinking water to 1.525 million people across 30 mandals.

Records reveal that by the end of YSR’s administration, 20.33 kilometres of tunnelling were finished. During Naidu’s 2014‑19 period, despite repeated extensions, only 6.686 kilometres were added. The final 10.568 kilometres were achieved under Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, with Tunnel‑1 completed in 2021 and Tunnel‑2 in 2024, both inaugurated on 6 March 2024.

The YSRCP calculation shows that 30.901 kilometres, representing 82.2% of the total 37.587 kilometres, were completed either during YSR’s tenure or Jagan’s administration, whereas Naidu’s government contributed merely 17.8%. The party urged a comprehensive review of feeder canal lining, overall project completion, the pending Tigleru canal, and the full rehabilitation of displaced families before any official launch.