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The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
What is Telangana's Kaleshwaram project? What is the controversy around it?
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.
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
KCR acted not as govt head but as administrative executive: Panel report on Kaleshwaram project
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, then in opposition, have been accusing KCR and his family of using the project 'as their personal ATM to plunder the people of Telangana,' the Medigadda barrage developed cracks and six piers sank within four years of the project's inauguration and only weeks ahead of the November 2023 assembly polls. The three barrages under inquiry were Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram, the first of which became a symbol of the alleged mis-execution of Rs 1 lakh crore Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project on Godavari river during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regime. Hyderabad: The judicial commission of inquiry on Kaleshwaram has held former Telangana chief minister Rao 'directly and also vicariously accountable for the irregularities and the illegalities in planning, construction, completion, operation and maintenance of the three barrages,' under the mega irrigation project. KCR had inaugurated the BRS government's mega showpiece Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) at Medigadda in June 2019, i.e., in the first year of his second term. 'It can be categorically held that there is rank irregularity from the stage of conceptualization of Kaleshwaram project till the issuance of administrative approvals on 1.3.2016 for construction of the three barrages. This is not the decision of the government but of individuals,' said the Pinaki Chandra Ghose commission. Sticking to its election promise, the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government, in March 2024, appointed Pinaki Chandra Ghose, a former judge of the Supreme Court, to conduct judicial Inquiry on allegations of irregularities, corrupt practices and embezzlement of public funds via the project. The commission submitted its report last week and the contents were revealed by irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, in presence of the CM and other ministers after the Telangana cabinet reviewed the report on Monday. 'The then chief minister is pre-determined and bent upon to construct barrage at Medigadda at his free choice and the authorities associated with the decision making facilitated them,' said the report. The commission noted that the reason given—non-availability of water at Tummadihetti, the original site—for shifting the barrage location to Medigadda 'does not appear to be sincere and honest.' 'The decision of construction of barrage at Medigadda and also at Annaram and Sundilla is solely of the then chief minister,' the commission said, noting that an expert committee had earlier concluded Medigadda site as 'not advisable and also not economical.' The commission 'conclusively held that the issuance of government orders according administrative approval of Rs 2591 crore for construction of Medigadda project is not placed before the cabinet and is issued pursuant to the orders of the minister (irrigation) and the chief minister.' The consequential failure of the barrage, the report said, is on account of impounding of water, among other reasons. 'It has categorically been observed and held that the then chief minister has directed the authorities to store water in the barrages to their full capacity for the purpose of lifting water through pump houses. Therefore, the then chief minister acted against the interests of the state and had no sincere, honest and conscientious mind to protect and safeguard the three barrages constructed at huge cost of thousands of crores of public money.' 'The chief minister acted not as the head of the government but as the administrative executive himself.' KCR, then irrigation minister Harish Rao had appeared before the commission earlier this year. Presenting the findings of the report, irrigation minister Uttam said the 'irrigation project described as the life line of Telangana has collapsed, after incurring huge expenditure and pushing the state into huge debts.' Later, CM Reddy said that his government 'will table the report in the assembly for a thorough discussion and to decide on course of action based on the recommendations.' The report also blamed former chief secretary engineer in chief and others of suppressing an expert committee report with malicious intention to enable the then minister for irrigation and the then chief minister to go ahead with their intention to construct the barrage at Medigadda. 'Thus, by suppressing the report, they facilitated to construct barrage at Medigadda and they indulged in this malicious act at the cost of huge public money and putting the economy of the state at stake (sic),' it added. The report is expected to be presented in the Telangana legislature during the ensuing Monsoon session. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: The rise of PV Krishna Reddy & MEIL — 2nd largest electoral bonds donor that worked on Kaleshwaram
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ghose Commission of Inquiry on Kaleshwaram row submits report
HYDERABAD The Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of Inquiry (CoI), instituted to probe the alleged irregularities in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), submitted its report to the government on Thursday. Justice Ghose handed over the report to Principal Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja at his office here. Mr. Bojja is likely to hand over the report to Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao. The commission was constituted by the State Government in March 2024, but started functioning from May last year. During its 15 months of inquiry, the panel had visited the three barrages physically and examined a total of 115 witnesses, including engineers, officials, bureaucrats, and elected representatives, including former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and former ministers T. Harish Rao and Eatala Rajender. Following sinking of some piers of the Medigadda Barrage and damage to the structure in the seventh block in October 2023, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) took up a study-cum-inquiry into the damage based on an informal complaint by BJP leaders. The Congress, which came to power in December in 2023, initially ordered a Vigilance inquiry into the issue and later instituted the Commission of Inquiry after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made an announcement in the Assembly. In its preliminary report released a few days before the polling day of Assembly elections had found fault with all aspects pertaining to the barrages – from planning to maintenance. The report faulted use of secant piles for the foundation of Medigadda Barrage instead of sheet piles as planned initially and also lack of proper geological tests before taking up the construction. Later, the NDSA submitted its interim report before the polling date of Lok Sabha elections reiterating its findings in the preliminary report and recommending some specific geological tests before taking up any remedial measures. In its final report, released in April this year the Central agency recommended reconstruction of the damaged block and other measures for the safety of the structure. The Vigilance report too found similar problems and also the negligence of engineers concerned in following due procedures in all aspects of the barrages' construction beginning from planning and recommended action against them. The commission examined the engineers who were involved in various stages of the barrages' construction and cross-examined them based on information collected from witnesses. Except for KCR's examination, which was on camera on the request of the witness, others were examined as open proceedings.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Harish Rao appears before PC Ghose Commission
Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao on Monday (June 9, 2025) morning appeared before Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of Inquiry on alleged irregularities in the execution of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). He started from Telangana Bhavan — the headquarters of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) — to BRKR Bhavan in Hyderabad accompanied by senior leaders. The Commission has earlier served notices to him, and BRS president & former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, and Eatala Rajender — former Finance Minister and current BJP MP. Mr. Rajender appeared before the Commission on June 6 and said that his role in the project was limited to releasing funds allocated in the budget. Mr. Chandrashekar Rao is likely to appear on Wednesday (June 11, 2025). Mr. Harish Rao through a PowerPoint Presentation on Saturday defended change of location, how the project changed the agriculture landscape of the State, increase in costs and other aspects.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ghose panel term extended till May-end
HYDERABAD Telangana Government on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) extended the term of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose into the irregularities in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of Kaleshwaram Project by another one month — from May 1 to 31. The orders to the effect were issued by Principal Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja on Tuesday. The State government had constituted the one-man commission on March 14, 2024 for a term of three months initially. The term of the Commission was later extended from time to time in June, August, November and December 2024 and also in February 2025.
