Lokesh lays foundation for Rs 294 crore flood wall in Tadepalli

Vijayawada: In a major step towards fulfilling an election promise, HRD and IT minister Nara Lokesh on Monday laid the foundation stone for a flood protection retaining wall in Tadepalli under the Mangalagiri constituency.The wall will be constructed along the right bank of the Krishna River downstream of the Prakasam Barrage. Estimated at ₹294.20 crore, the project will cover a 1.7 km stretch near the Seethanagaram–Mahanadu area of Tadepalli town.Lokesh said the project was a long-pending demand of residents, assuring them during the campaign that steps would be taken to protect low-lying areas from recurring floods. Within a year of assuming office, the government secured administrative approval and completed the tender process, enabling work to begin.Designed with advanced engineering standards, the structure will withstand flood flows of up to 15 lakh cusecs. Built using pile-raft technology, it will include 1,920 deep foundation piles at depths of 26–38 metres, ensuring durability against strong currents and seismic activity.Officials said the project will provide long-term relief to nearly 50,000 residents in flood-prone localities such as Sundarayya Nagar and Mahanadu Colony, while also safeguarding Amaravati's capital region and infrastructure along National Highway 65.Later, Lokesh inaugurated the ₹14.88-crore High-Level Canal Lift Irrigation Scheme at Pedavadlapudi village, which will irrigate 25,344 acres across Mangalagiri, Tenali, and Ponnuru constituencies. He also inaugurated the NTR canteen in Duggirla, a community hall in Nulakapet, a new library in Duggirala, and unveiled an NTR statue in Revendrapadu village.District collector A Thameem Ansariya, AP Padmashali Welfare Corporation Chairman Nandam Abaddayya, TTD board member Tammisetti Janaki Devi, and TDP senior leader Pothineni Srinivasa Rao were present.