KCR invites Jagan, Fadnavis for opening of Kaleshwaram

Hyderabad: In a glittering ceremony to be attended by the three Chief Ministers of Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the Asia's biggest Lift Irrigation project – Kaleshwaram, taken up at a cost of nearly Rs 70,000 crore on the Godavari river, will be dedicated to the people of Telangana on June 21.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over phone on Wednesday afternoon and the latter accepted to attend the function as chief guest. The Telangana CM will visit Mumbai shortly to extend the invitation to Fadnavis. KCR will soon invite AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy personally.

In a record time of three years, major components of the Kaleshwaram projects, constructions of barrages and pump houses have been completed and construction of the reservoirs are going ahead on a fast-track. KCR laid foundation stone for the project in May 2016. The CM conceived Kaleshwaram project by redesigning the Pranahitha – Chevella project aiming to provide irrigation facility for one crore acres.

Before taking up the project, the TS government had entered into an agreement with the Maharashtra state government, putting an end to decades-old water sharing issues between the two states. This agreement has paved way for the construction of Kaleshwaram project at Medigadda.

Barrages are constructed at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. Water from these barrages will be utilised to fill Yellampally and Sriram Sagar projects. Water from Godavari is being lifted at about half a kilometre height. The pump houses are being constructed to lift 2 tmc ft water every day this year. Preparations are going on to lift 3 tmc ft water from the next year. To lift such a huge quantum of water, the biggest and largest pumps are being used for the first time in the country.

One of the biggest reservoirs in the country - Mallannasagar with 50 tmc ft capacity is also being constructed under Kaleshwaram. It is estimated that all north Telangana districts and Khammam and Nalgonda districts in South Telangana will get irrigation facility from the project. The project will also address drinking water needs of the Greater Hyderabad.