What is Telangana's Kaleshwaram project? What is the controversy around it?
A barrage forming a major component of the project suffered damages within three years of its inauguration, while two others constructed upstream reportedly developed cracks resulting in the charge that the KLIP was a colossal waste of public money burdening the State exchequer for years to come.
What is Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project?
KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project on Godavari river in Kaleshwaram of Bhupalpally in Telangana. Billed as the world's largest multi-stage irrigation project and the lifeline of Telangana by the then BRS government, Kaleshwaram's upstream influence is at the confluence of Pranahita and Godavari. It utilises a canal network of more than 1,800 km.
Why was it constructed?
The project was conceived by the BRS government, headed by K. Chandrasekhar Rao, to provide irrigation facilities to over 16 lakh acres in 13 districts of Telangana, besides stabilising the existing ayacut. It aims at storing and distributing 240 tmc ft of Godavari water of which 169 tmc ft is proposed to be allocated for irrigation, 30 tmc ft for drinking water to Hyderabad, 16 tmc ft for miscellaneous and industrial uses and another 10 tmc ft for drinking water supply to villages en route.
Where was it built?
The government has constructed barrages across Godavari at Ramadugu, Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram. The water is stored there for lifting to needy areas to cater to the drinking water and irrigation needs.
What was the cost of constructing KLIP?
The project was conceived at a cost of ₹71,000 crore initially. The cost escalated to close to over ₹1 lakh crore over a period of time. Finishing works, including canals and lining along with pumping facilities in some more parts, is likely to take few more thousands of crores.
What is the controversy around KLIP?
The project has been mired in controversies right from the beginning as the then government shifted the location from Tummidihatti to Medigadda even after reportedly receiving hydrology clearance for the former location. The shifting of the site was made on the pretext of non availability of water at Tummidihatti, but the inquiry conducted by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose revealed that the Central Water Commission has estimated the water availability at Tummidihatti to be over 200 tmcft.
Who is at fault?
A major allegation that has surfaced in the construction of the project was that the barrages were constructed on permeable foundations rather than strong foundations that can withstand the inflow of heavy quantum of water. The shifting of location — from Tumidihatti to Medigadda — too came under criticism as the almost 30% of the works at Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanti (PCSS) project — started by Congress government in united Andhra Pradesh in 2008 — at Tummidihatti costing over Rs. 11,000 crore were completed by then. Another major charge against the BRS Government was that the decision to go ahead with the project works was taken solely by Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao and not the one taken by the Government amid charges that the then dispensation did not obtain the consent of the State Cabinet before launching the works.
How was this found?
The faults in Kaleshwaram project were exposed during the BRS regime when the piers of the Sundilla barrage sunk substantiating the claims that the barrage was constructed on permeable foundation. Two other barrages Annaram and Sundilla too developed cracks as the government impounded and stored huge quantities of water against the technical advise.
Why was an Inquiry Commission formed?
Constitution of a judicial commission to probe the lapses in Kaleshwaram was an election promise of the Congress which included the issue in its manifesto. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy Government constituted the one-man judicial commission headed by Justice Ghose for a thorough inquiry into the processes that went into the construction of the much-publicised project.
How did the Commission inquire?
Justice Ghose examined over 110 witnesses during the course of his 15 month inquiry and those examined included former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao, former Ministers T. Harish Rao (Irrigation) and Eatala Rajender (Finance) of BRS government, the latter especially for releasing funds adopting 'negligent and indifferent attitude'. Mr. Harish Rao was accused of insisting the officials and construction agencies on the completion of the project at the behest of KCR.
What is the Telangana government doing about the report?
After ordering an inquiry by the judicial commission, which submitted its report on July 31, the Telangana government has decided to take up a discussion on Kaleshwaram project in the legislature during the monsoon session. The government plans to explain about the lapses to the people in detail and to elicit views of all political parties, including the BRS, on the future course of action on the revelations of the Justice Ghose commission.
What does BRS have to say about the accusations and judicial commission report?
The BRS on its part appears to be guarded in response to the accusations. Mr. Harish Rao, however, defended the project claiming that the project received approvals from several statutory bodies, including the CWC. It also had the approval of the Cabinet, the papers of which were not being revealed by the government. The project was also ratified by the Assembly where Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has made a power point presentation, the first of its kind, on Kaleshwaram explaining the members about the salient features of the project.
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The story so far: The much-hyped Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), billed as the lifeline of Telangana by the previous BRS government, is mired in controversies over the manner in which it has been conceived and executed. A barrage forming a major component of the project suffered damages within three years of its inauguration, while two others constructed upstream reportedly developed cracks resulting in the charge that the KLIP was a colossal waste of public money burdening the State exchequer for years to come. What is Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project? KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project on Godavari river in Kaleshwaram of Bhupalpally in Telangana. Billed as the world's largest multi-stage irrigation project and the lifeline of Telangana by the then BRS government, Kaleshwaram's upstream influence is at the confluence of Pranahita and Godavari. It utilises a canal network of more than 1,800 km. Why was it constructed? The project was conceived by the BRS government, headed by K. Chandrasekhar Rao, to provide irrigation facilities to over 16 lakh acres in 13 districts of Telangana, besides stabilising the existing ayacut. It aims at storing and distributing 240 tmc ft of Godavari water of which 169 tmc ft is proposed to be allocated for irrigation, 30 tmc ft for drinking water to Hyderabad, 16 tmc ft for miscellaneous and industrial uses and another 10 tmc ft for drinking water supply to villages en route. Where was it built? The government has constructed barrages across Godavari at Ramadugu, Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram. The water is stored there for lifting to needy areas to cater to the drinking water and irrigation needs. What was the cost of constructing KLIP? The project was conceived at a cost of ₹71,000 crore initially. The cost escalated to close to over ₹1 lakh crore over a period of time. Finishing works, including canals and lining along with pumping facilities in some more parts, is likely to take few more thousands of crores. What is the controversy around KLIP? The project has been mired in controversies right from the beginning as the then government shifted the location from Tummidihatti to Medigadda even after reportedly receiving hydrology clearance for the former location. The shifting of the site was made on the pretext of non availability of water at Tummidihatti, but the inquiry conducted by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose revealed that the Central Water Commission has estimated the water availability at Tummidihatti to be over 200 tmcft. Who is at fault? A major allegation that has surfaced in the construction of the project was that the barrages were constructed on permeable foundations rather than strong foundations that can withstand the inflow of heavy quantum of water. The shifting of location — from Tumidihatti to Medigadda — too came under criticism as the almost 30% of the works at Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanti (PCSS) project — started by Congress government in united Andhra Pradesh in 2008 — at Tummidihatti costing over Rs. 11,000 crore were completed by then. Another major charge against the BRS Government was that the decision to go ahead with the project works was taken solely by Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao and not the one taken by the Government amid charges that the then dispensation did not obtain the consent of the State Cabinet before launching the works. How was this found? The faults in Kaleshwaram project were exposed during the BRS regime when the piers of the Sundilla barrage sunk substantiating the claims that the barrage was constructed on permeable foundation. Two other barrages Annaram and Sundilla too developed cracks as the government impounded and stored huge quantities of water against the technical advise. Why was an Inquiry Commission formed? Constitution of a judicial commission to probe the lapses in Kaleshwaram was an election promise of the Congress which included the issue in its manifesto. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy Government constituted the one-man judicial commission headed by Justice Ghose for a thorough inquiry into the processes that went into the construction of the much-publicised project. How did the Commission inquire? Justice Ghose examined over 110 witnesses during the course of his 15 month inquiry and those examined included former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao, former Ministers T. Harish Rao (Irrigation) and Eatala Rajender (Finance) of BRS government, the latter especially for releasing funds adopting 'negligent and indifferent attitude'. Mr. Harish Rao was accused of insisting the officials and construction agencies on the completion of the project at the behest of KCR. What is the Telangana government doing about the report? After ordering an inquiry by the judicial commission, which submitted its report on July 31, the Telangana government has decided to take up a discussion on Kaleshwaram project in the legislature during the monsoon session. The government plans to explain about the lapses to the people in detail and to elicit views of all political parties, including the BRS, on the future course of action on the revelations of the Justice Ghose commission. What does BRS have to say about the accusations and judicial commission report? The BRS on its part appears to be guarded in response to the accusations. Mr. Harish Rao, however, defended the project claiming that the project received approvals from several statutory bodies, including the CWC. It also had the approval of the Cabinet, the papers of which were not being revealed by the government. The project was also ratified by the Assembly where Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has made a power point presentation, the first of its kind, on Kaleshwaram explaining the members about the salient features of the project.
