The inauguration of the Varikapudisela project’s construction has happened thrice – under CMs Naidu and YS Rajasekhar Reddy in united Andhra, and most recently in November 2023 under former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy in divided AP – but work on the project is yet to start. “We would wager that no other project has been inaugurated as many times in India,” was a sentiment that several of Palnadu’s residents and activists expressed. Yet, every election, Varikapudisela forms the basis for whom Palnadu’s residents vote – and for good reason. Palnadu district has the least tap water facilities in Andhra Pradesh, according to data from the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Out of 4.34 lakh households in the district, only 1.54 lakh (35.54%) have tap water connection. Where do the fault lines lie and what do Palnadu’s residents say? Anjana Meenakshi tells you in this report. https://www.thenewsminute.com/andhra-pradesh/andhra-palnadus-water-crisis-and-the-long-standing-dream-for-an-irrigation-project