Nara Lokesh has fulfilled another election promise in the Mangalagiri constituency by laying the foundation stone for the long-awaited retaining wall project in Tadepalli. The Education and IT Minister inaugurated the project on Monday at Seethanagaram Mahanadu area, unveiling the plaque and formally launching the works aimed at protecting the region from floods.
The retaining wall will be constructed along the right side of the Krishna River from 0.9 km to 2.610 km downstream of Prakasam Barrage at an estimated cost of ₹294.20 crore. The project is expected to provide long-term flood protection to several low-lying residential areas in Tadepalli.
During the foundation ceremony, Lokesh stated that the project was part of the promises made during the elections and reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Mangalagiri constituency. The minister highlighted that the project, which had remained pending for decades, was expedited within a year by securing administrative approval and completing the tender process for the ₹294.20 crore work.
Officials said the retaining wall is being designed with advanced engineering standards to withstand severe flood conditions. The structure will be capable of handling a flow of up to 15 lakh cusecs of water in case of major floods. Instead of a conventional wall, engineers will construct the structure using pile-raft technology, with 1,920 piles driven 26 to 38 meters deep into the ground to ensure stability against both strong water currents and seismic activity.
Once completed, the retaining wall will provide permanent flood protection to nearly 50,000 residents living in low-lying areas such as Sundarayya Nagar and Mahanadu Colony. The project will also safeguard key areas within the Amaravati capital region and offer protection to the nearby National Highway 65 corridor.
Several public representatives and officials attended the event, including Andhra Pradesh Padmashali Welfare and Development Corporation Chairman Nandam Abaddayya, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board member Tammishetti Janaki Devi, Guntur Parliamentary Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Pothineni Srinivasa Rao, District Collector A. Thameem Ansariya, Tadepalli Mandal TDP President Dasari Krishna and Town President Vallabhaneni Venkata Rao, along with several local leaders and residents.