Kaleshwaram to be made tourist spot

Hyderabad: Apart from utilising water for irrigation, the State government has decided to develop tourist spots and navigation facility across the Kaleshwaram project to attract tourists. The facilities will be provided at Kaleshwaram, Mid Manair, Kondapochamma Sagar and Ranganayak Sagar along the project with an aim to attract tourists. Since there is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva, several facilities are being provided near the project site at Kannepally barrage, apart from having navigation facility.

Sri Kaleshwara Muktheshwara swamy temple is unique because of two Shiva Lingas are found on a single pedestal in the temple. They are named Lord Yama and Lord Shiva collectively and known as Kaleshwara Muktheshwara Swamy. This place is also known as second Kashi or South Indian Kashi.

The Executive Officer of the temple B Srinivas told The Hans India that the temple had seen development in the recent times especially after the formation of Telangana. He said that the government allocated Rs 25 crore to set up several facilities such as Haritha Hotel with 20 rooms and a restaurant. There is a proposal to have boating facility at the project site once the Medigadda barrage gets completed as the water would be available till 54 km in the river course. 

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who came to lay foundation stone for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, asked the officials to have navigation facility as per the national policy and hoped that the Centre would take up the project. The government has also decided to develop tourist spot at Ranganayak Sagar in Medak district. 

The Ranganayak Sagar would have 3 TMC fts of water and in between there are hillocks named Pallegutta. The Irrigation Department is constructing a guest house and most probably it would be completed within two to three months. 

An approach bund would be constructed to reach to the guest house. There is Ranganayak Swamy temple at a hillock at Chandlapur. The officials expect that there would be tourist influx apart from regular pilgrims. Apart from these, similar tourist facilities would be developed at Mid Manair, Kondapochamma reservoir and other areas.