The Telangana government is leaving no stone unturned to resurrect the beleaguered Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) by fully commissioning its key barrages at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy laid out an aggressive roadmap during a Sunday review, vowing to bring these vital structures back online.
In a comprehensive meeting, Reddy huddled with senior engineers, CWPRS experts, design firms tasked with reconstruction, and on-ground implementation agencies. He called for an immediate ramp-up in repair activities, aligning them with a time-bound schedule to operationalize the project comprehensively.
Regulatory scrutiny has exposed glaring deficiencies across the barrages’ foundations, designs, and builds, as flagged by the NDSA and Vigilance Commission. ‘The core problems are identical in all three,’ Reddy observed, stressing unified corrective measures.
Setting ambitious targets, the minister pegged 2027 and 2028 as make-or-break years for repairs. While full activation is anticipated for Annaram and Sundilla, partial operations at Medigadda are on the cards sooner. This phased approach aims to minimize disruptions to irrigation schedules.
A key development is the appointment of AFRY India, partnering with IIT Mumbai, to handle designs. Round-the-clock work has been ordered, with designs rushed to the CWC post-completion. Consultants must stay in lockstep with Secretary Parikshit Mehra, escalating hurdles directly.
This initiative not only addresses past lapses but positions KLIS as a cornerstone for Telangana’s agricultural future, ensuring reliable water supply amid climate uncertainties. Farmers across the Godavari basin stand to gain immensely from these repairs.
