What is the issue?
The execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is very significant for Telangana.
What is Lift irrigation?
- When the main source is at the lower level than the supply level, then water cannot be transported by natural flow.
- So when water is supplied through some mechanical means, then it is known as lift irrigation.
- Pumps are used to lift the water from canals or rivers at lower level to the area at higher level for irrigation purpose.
What is Kaleshwaram project?
- In 2007, when Andhra Pradesh was not divided Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme taken up to utilise the water of Pranhita tributary of Godavari river.
- After the formation of Telangana in 2014, the present government redesigned the project.
- The reason they stated for doing it was that the original plan had too many environmental obstacles and had very low water storage provision.
- After conducting Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey, the government separated the project into two.
- The original component serving the Adilabad area was called the Pranahitha project.
- The rest was renamed as Kaleshwaram by redesigning the head works, storage capacity and the canal system.
- The Kaleshwaram project has provision for the storage of about 148 tmc ft with plans of utilising 180 tmc ft by lifting at least 2 tmc ft water every day for 90 flood days.
Why it is important?
- It has the longest tunnel to carry water in Asia - 81 km between the Yellampally barrage and the Mallannasagar reservoir.
- It has the estimated cost of Rs.80,500 crore, the costliest irrigation project to be taken up by any State.
- The project is designed to irrigate arounf 7.4 lakh hectares lands.
What are the problems?
- The project requires a total of 32,000 hectares.
- A section of farmers have been opposing the land acquisition.
- Also it needs various clearances and permissions simultaneously from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Central Water Commission.
Source: The Hindu
