Complete Kaleswaram in 1 year, set record, Harish Rao tells officials

Hyderabad: The TS government is aiming to set a record by completing the much-touted Kaleswaram Irrigation project within a year.

Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao told officials to complete the project in one year and set an Asian record. “You can do it,” he told officials, asking them to call for tenders for the Mallannasagar project in Medak district this month.

Construction of irrigation projects have been a subject of criticism for ages, but the TRS government wants to put an end to this and ensure scheduled or early completion to prove a point.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had laid the foundation stone for the multi-crore multipurpose Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Karimnagar district on May 2 this year, which is slated to be completed in three years.

The project is aimed at harnessing Godavari water by constructing three barrages on the river’s course at Medigadda (Rs 1,800 crore), Annaram (Rs 1,418 crore) and Sundilla (Rs 1,209 crore) and reservoirs at 18 places.

The barrages will have a storage capacity of over 28 tmc ft altogether and the reservoirs will have 157 tmc ft.  Kaleswaram project requires 4,500 MW power for lifting water in different stages till Yellampally reservoir, from Yellampally to Mid Manair and from there to Anantagiri, Imambad and Mallannasagar reservoirs. From Mallannasagar, the Godavari water will flow through gravity to Upper Manair and reservoirs in Adilabad and Nizamabad. Works have been divided into 28 packages including five packages for the first three barrages.

The project is designed to create irrigation facility for 18 lakh acres and stabilising about 12 lakh acres besides augmenting drinking water to Hyderabad. Irrigation and Command Area Development (CAD) department has invited bids for Kaleshwaram project.

Mr Harish Rao discussed the progress of Kaleswaram project, land acquisition and other related matters with officials at Jalasoudha here.

“Let us create history and take it as challenge. Medigadda barrage works will be started in two weeks time and Annaram and Sundilla barrage works on November 15. Let’s fulfil the dream of KCR. Let us provide water by 2017,” he said.

The irrigation minister said there was no dearth of funds. Steps would also be taken to videograph construction. Harish Rao also decided to convene a special meeting on Mallannasagar on November 10.