The government is accelerating work on the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project, which is expected to provide irrigation to over 4.4 lakh acres and drinking water to drought-prone regions including Markapuram
Veligonda Project Nearing Completion Read More »
New Delhi: Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that the national launch of the ‘Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin)’ (VB-G RAM G) will take place from Andhra Pradesh on July 1. The announcement was made during a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, where the two leaders reviewed the implementation of rural development programmes, employment generation initiatives, livelihood enhancement schemes and panchayat development projects in the state. Chouhan said that Rural Development Ministers from all states and Union Territories would participate in the launch programme through video conferencing from various field locations across the country.“The event would showcase Andhra Pradesh’s successful models in rural governance, including its Gram Panchayat Development Plan, model panchayats and zero-waste gram panchayats,” Chouhan stated. Praising Andhra Pradesh’s development efforts, the Union Minister described the state as one of the most progressive in the country and said it has earned a reputation for taking swift decisions on development-related matters. He encouraged the state to continue innovating in rural development and said its successful models would be shared with other states as examples of best practices. During the meeting, Kalyan briefed the Union Minister on the progress of various rural development schemes in Andhra Pradesh. He said all projects under rural development programmes have been geo-tagged to ensure transparency and prevent corruption. He also informed that work on a face recognition-based beneficiary verification system is nearing completion. The Deputy Chief Minister said construction of rural roads and houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) is progressing rapidly across the state. He added that drinking water facilities for livestock have been established in every panchayat, benefiting rural livestock rearers and strengthening livelihood opportunities. Kalyan thanked the Centre and the Ministry of Rural Development for providing an interim allocation of more than Rs 7,700 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the VB-G RAM G initiative. He said the funds would help accelerate rural development projects and improve infrastructure in villages.
VB-G RAM G national launch to begin from Andhra Pradesh on July 1: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Read More »
Chirala: The Combined Annual Training Camp–I (CATC–I), organised under the aegis of the 23 Andhra Pradesh Battalion NCC, commenced at St Ann’s College of Engineering & Technology here, on Tuesday. Inaugurating the camp, Camp Commandant Colonel Gopal Tripathi highlighted the significant role of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in shaping disciplined, patriotic, and responsible citizens. Addressing the cadets, he said that NCC training plays a crucial role in developing leadership qualities, self-confidence, discipline, and a spirit of service among youth. Encouraging cadets to make the most of the training opportunities, Colonel Tripathi described the camp as an important platform for selecting participants for the prestigious Thal Sainik Camp (TSC), one of the most respected NCC events in the country. Deputy Camp Commandant Lieutenant Colonel NS Parmar briefed cadets on the camp schedule and training modules. The inaugural function was attended by Subedar Major Ranveer Singh, Camp Adjutant Major Y Anji Reddy, Lieutenant Medikonda Rajesh Babu, First Officers P Suresh Babu and T Venkateswarlu, Second Officer G Gopinath, Training JCO Ravindra Singh, and BHM P Ramesh
NCC camp inaugurated Read More »
Annual Brahmotsavam festivals at Ongole’s famous temples draw thousands of devotees from across Andhra Pradesh. The colourful rathotsavams (chariot processions) move through the city streets with great devotion, accompanied by nadaswaram music and the chanting of devotees. The festivals celebrate the presiding deities with elaborate rituals, offerings and cultural programmes that last for several days.
Dussehra is celebrated with extraordinary enthusiasm in Ongole, but what makes it truly unique is the Kalaraalu tradition — vibrant folk performances featuring elaborately costumed performers who represent powerful mythological characters. These colourful processions move through the streets of Ongole drawing massive crowds from across Prakasam district. The tradition is unique to this region and has been passed down through generations, making Ongole’s Dussehra unlike any other in Andhra Pradesh.
Dussehra & Kalaraalu Read More »
Sankranti is the most beloved festival in Ongole and across Andhra Pradesh. The three-day celebration begins with Bhogi — when old items are burned in bonfires to welcome the new. Homes are decorated with spectacular colourful rangoli (muggulu), and the streets fill with the sound of drums and celebration. Kite flying fills the Ongole skies, bullock races draw crowds, and the famous Haridasu tradition — travelling bards singing devotional songs — brings the city’s spiritual heart to life.
The overnight rain breaks the heat across NTR, Krishna and Guntur districts, and the disaster management authority forecasts more for Rayalaseema on Thursday Tadepalli and Tenali in Guntur district recorded 82 mm and 66.75 mm respectively; Garikipalem in Srikakulam district 72.5 mm, and Peda Avutapalle and Machilipatnam in Krishna district 60.5 mm and 50.75 mm respectively. According to NTR district officials, Tiruvuru recorded 109.6 mm in this period, but the DES had not updated this figure. Many other places in central Andhra Pradesh, especially in Bapatla, Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and Eluru districts, received moderate rain in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. Most of it fell on Wednesday night. A few places in Visakhapatnam district, including Simhachalam and Pendurthi, received light to moderate showers. According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, Markapuram and the Rayalaseema region may receive heavy rainfall on Thursday, while the central region may receive moderate rain. Alluri Sitharama Raju, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore districts, and Polavaram, may receive light showers during the day. Lakshmisha took stock of the situation and directed officials of all departments to remain alert and take precautionary measures at once, in line with the guidelines of the India Meteorological Department and the APSDMA. The municipal authorities were directed to remove stagnant water from roads, and agriculture officials were asked to ensure that farmers received all support in preventing crop damage.
Heavy rain lashes central Andhra Pradesh; Vijayawada North records 102 mm Read More »
Amaravati, The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to complete and commission 24 power transmission projects worth Rs 3,507 crore between June and December 2026 to strengthen the state’s electricity network. “A total of 24 transmission projects worth Rs 3,507 crore are slated for completion and commissioning between June and December 2026 as part of efforts to augment the state’s electricity infrastructure,” Vijayanand in an official release on Tuesday. The Special Chief Secretary said APTRANSCO and the state government were committed to ensuring quality, reliable and uninterrupted power supply to agriculture, industries, commercial establishments and domestic consumers. He emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV transmission projects to meet the growing power demand and strengthen the state’s transmission infrastructure. According to the top official, 68 transmission projects with an estimated investment of Rs 5,279 crore are currently under various stages of execution across Andhra Pradesh. Upon completion, these projects will add 15,224.5 MVA transformation capacity and 1,828 CKM of transmission lines, substantially enhancing the state’s transmission network. Vijayanand directed officials to closely monitor the progress of these projects and ensure completion within the scheduled timelines while ..
Minister says major tunnel, canal and rehabilitation works are progressing, rejects YSRCP charge of inadequate funding for the project An additional ₹905 crore has been allocated in the State Budget towards relief and rehabilitation (R&R) compensation for displaced families and for filling the Nallamalasagar reservoir, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said during an inspection of the Veligonda project works at Dornala in Markapuram district on Tuesday.Accompanied by district officials, the Minister visited the twin tunnels of the project and reviewed the ongoing tunnel lining works as well as the removal of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) from Tunnel-2.Addressing the media, Mr. Ramanaidu said the construction of the retaining wall, wing walls and return walls for the head regulators had been completed.immala Ramanaidu inspecting the tunnel lining of Veligonda project at Dornala in Markapuram district on Tuesday. An additional ₹905 crore has been allocated in the State Budget towards relief and rehabilitation (R&R) compensation for displaced families and for filling the Nallamalasagar reservoir, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said during an inspection of the Veligonda project works at Dornala in Markapuram district on Tuesday. Accompanied by district officials, the Minister visited the twin tunnels of the project and reviewed the ongoing tunnel lining works as well as the removal of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) from Tunnel-2. Addressing the media, Mr. Ramanaidu said the construction of the retaining wall, wing walls and return walls for the head regulators had been completed. Advertisement Powered by: 00:04 He said that, to enable the flow of 1 TMC of water from Kollam Vagu into the tunnels, 58,000 cubic metres of muck had been removed out of the total 1.80 lakh cubic metres accumulated in the area. In Tunnel-1, 40,000 cubic metres of muck had been cleared so far from the total 1.20 lakh cubic metres obstructing the flow of water. The Minister said more than 5.5 km of the total 7-km lining work in Tunnel-2 had been completed during the 20 months since the coalition government assumed office. The remaining 1.5 km is expected to be completed by the end of July, he said. Mr. Ramanaidu said the 5.3-km retaining wall for the feeder canal, the construction of which commenced in January, had been completed within five months.
Veligonda works on track, ₹905 crore allocated for R&R and reservoir filling: Ramanaidu Read More »
