A mega Hydro Power Project with an estimated Rs 4,676.64 crore outlay --one of the major projects in the state -- will come up at Nayanapalli in Singanamala Assembly segment, in Anantapur, a boost to the power sector in the drought-hit region.

The project is designed to produce 800 WV power and needs 1,200 acres of land.

Singamala MLA J. Padmavathi said the project was proposed during the Investment Promotion Board meeting last year. "This proved Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy?s initiative to launch the biggest hydro project in the state."

This is designed as a pumped storage hydro project through lift irrigation from upstream sources.

The project is designed to produce 800mw power with 54 metre height in Nayanapalli Hill area. Water sources will be used during the rainy season through lift irrigation schemes. The lifts will be functional through solar power generation.

As per the detailed project report, the Mega Hydro Project is designed to store 0.73 tmc-ft of water. The local villagers supported the project, which will not majorly affect the farmers because the project will be established in 480 hectares in the hillock area of Nayanapalli.

The hydro project will also meet drinking and irrigation needs of the surrounding areas, official sources said.

In addition, 25,000 saplings will be planted in a 10km route to improve greenery and an aim is also the fisheries development in the project. "It?s historic for our segment as we never hoped to get such a huge project to our area", MLA Padmavati stated.