The Veligonda project is a long-cherished demand of Prakasam district farmers. Everyone thought that water would come within two years. However, a few unexpected obstructions came. The tunnel works which were an important part of the project works were stalled. The TBM machine which has been functioning for the last 12 years stopped functioning. The machine was facing technical problems and engineers were called from Germany to look into the issue. However, the technical problems continued and the machine was declared unfit, hence it was decided that digging be done manually. CM Jagan had promised twice that water will be given next year but with the machine failure, the works may not get completed.
It is required to dig a tunnel of 18 km to bring water from Srisailam backwater to Veligonda in Prakasam. After tenders were called, a company brought the tunnel boring machine with Rs 124 crore from Germany. Every day it has to dig a tunnel of 25 km but because of technical issues, it is unable to dig even 10 km. With the help of German engineering, a 17.85 km length tunnel was dug.
Now only 150 meters is remaining but the machine is not functioning. The experts said the machine cannot be repaired. It has become a big risk to bring out that machine from the tunnel. The engineers are saying that the manual works are possible only if the machine is removed. The engineers have decided to bring the machine by cutting it into pieces. It would take at least two years for the tunnel works and it appears the dream of people of Prakasam will not be fulfilled in near future.
