Who Is Poola Subbaiah? Why Was Veligonda Project Named After Him?

The name Poola Subbaiah has once again come into focus with the inauguration of the Veligonda Phase 1 project in Andhra Pradesh. But who was Poola Subbaiah, and why was one of the state’s major irrigation projects named after him?

Poola Subbaiah was a Communist leader and former MLA who represented the drought affected areas of the region. He spent years raising his voice over the lack of irrigation and drinking water in the western Prakasam region.

The Veligonda project was one of his major long term demands. Subbaiah strongly fought in bringing Krishna River water through the Nallamala hills to provide relief to drought affected areas. His efforts made him closely associated with the demand for the project.

The project was conceived to address the water needs of drought and fluoride affected areas. The Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project aims to provide irrigation and drinking water through the diversion of Krishna flood water from the Srisailam reservoir to the Nallamala Sagar reservoir.

For decades, the project remained a major political and public issue as successive governments worked on different stages of its construction.

Now, with Phase 1 being inaugurated, Poola Subbaiah’s family has witnessed a deeply emotional moment. His daughters Vilasini and Sunanda were honoured by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at the event.

Vilasini said their family never imagined that they would live to see the Veligonda project become a reality. She also thanked the Chief Minister and said the people of the region would always remember her father for his fight for the project.

For the people of the drought affected areas, Veligonda is more than an irrigation project. And for Poola Subbaiah’s family, its completion represents the fulfilment of a dream for which he fought for years.