KCR’s pet project Kaleswaram to start pumping from July

Telangana state’s flagship multistage Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) aimed at lifting Godavari water to record heights will start working from July this year. It is estimated that a minimum of 3,800 MWs of power will be needed to pump 2 TMC. The requirement is expected to reach 6,110 MWs after the addition of one more TMC in time for the Kharif next year.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has directed officers to ensure round the clock power supply to utilise the full flow of water in Godavari river for six months. At a review meeting, the chief minister aims at providing water for 45 lakhs of acres for both the crops by lifting 600 TMC of water. The utility companies were assured that the power utilized for lift irrigation schemes would be funded by the government under a special grant. The government is also trying to fill the gap by producing hydel at different stages of the project.

The construction activity required to lift 2 TMC of water from the Godavari through Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is almost nearing completion. The wet trial run of the pumps was successful. From July end this year the water will have to be lifted. “Water for irrigation, drinking and for industries for 85% of the area in Telangana has to be drawn from river Godavari only. Telangana has a share of 954 TMC of water in river Godavari. For utilizing this water Telangana has all the required permissions and clearances, “KCR said.

“Once the Kaleshwaram project is ready in 90 lakh acres will have assured irrigation within a year. It is estimated that within two to three years the resultant crop would yield the capital which is equal to the expenditure incurred on the construction of the project. The lifestyle of the farmer would be changed and the whole atmosphere in Telangana is also changed” the CM said.

Transco and Genco CMD D Prabhakar Rao who participated in the meeting explained that the department is prepared to supply 6,000 MWs for the lift irrigation projects and is totally geared up to meet the demand even it touches 17,000 MWs.