Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu felicitated two daughters of Communist leader Poola Subbaiah, after whom the Veligonda Project is named, marking the inauguration of the first phase of the project on Monday.During the public meeting in Gantavanipalli village of Dornala mandal in Markapuram district, Subbaiah’s daughters—Sunanda and Vilasini—were honoured in recognition of their father’s service to the drought-hit region.Poola Subbaiah, the former MLA from Markapuram constituency, had spearheaded massive movements to divert the Krishna River waters to the western region of Prakasam district, which was reeling under drought due to a lack of irrigation and drinking water facilities. Because of his tireless efforts, the project was initiated during TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao’s tenure as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.In response to public demand, then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had named the Veligonda project after Poola Subbaiah.In a deeply emotional moment, Subbaiah’s second daughter Ms. Vilasini lauded Mr. Naidu as a visionary leader. She said their family never imagined that they would ever see the project becoming a reality.She further said that the people of the four districts of Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa would remember the services of her father forever. She also commended Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu for completing the project. Published - August 31, 2026 06:42 pm IST