Final nod for Kaleshwaram on the cards

Hyderabad: The Kaleshwaram project is set to get the final approval of Central Water Commission (CWC) in two weeks, as the Commission expressed its satisfaction on the progress of project works.  The three-member CWC delegation headed by Chief Engineer (Project Appraisal Organisation) CKL Das visited the project sites for three days from Sunday.  Addressing the press after holding a meeting with State Irrigation officials in Hyderabad, Das said the delegation was impressed with the project works taken up on a fast pace.

The official applauded the government for taking up the giant irrigation project which provides irrigation facility to 18 lakh acres and stabilise the ayacut in another 18 lakh acres in Telangana. The CWC official suggested the State government to complete Kaleshwaram project in a stipulated time. The Commission warned the escalation of the project cost if the work is delayed.

It is mandatory to seek permission from CWC which will give its final nod to irrigation planning and cost appraisal based on the documents submitted by the State government. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the CWC held meeting and discussed about the cost economics of the project with the officials concerned from State and Union governments.  The State submitted DPR (Detailed Project Report) to the CWC. Financial feasibility report and economic benefits to the people under the project were explained in detail in the report.

Once the CWC granted all clearances, State government will be allowed to seek financial assistance from the Union government and also other external funding agencies including World Bank at lowest interest rates. Kaleshwaram had been taken up at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore.State Special Chief Secretary of Irrigation SK Joshi explained the efforts put by the State government for the completion of the project by December this year.