Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

Reference

The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has confirmed 'irreparable damage' in three barrages of Telangana's Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla, raising questions on its safety, reliability and future.

About Kaleshwaram Project

• Introduction: Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is India's largest and the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project.
  • Lift Irrigation System: In lift irrigation, water is transported to reservoirs located at higher altitudes by powerful pumps instead of gravity, which makes water available for irrigation even to fields located at higher altitudes where the normal canal system is not effective. This system is energy-intensive and continuous maintenance and technical efficiency is required in its operation.
• Purpose : Water supply for irrigation, drinking water and industrial use
  • As per the project, out of 240 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water, 169 TMC or more than 70% is for irrigation. 30 TMC is for Hyderabad Municipal Area, 16 TMC is for miscellaneous industrial use and 10 TMC is for providing drinking water to nearby villages.
• Start : June 2019 (During BRS Government)
• River : It is located on Godavari River in Telangana State.
• Extent : The project is spread over about 500 km in 13 districts with a canal network of 1,800 km.
• Major components of the project:
  • Medigadda Barrage – main water storage centre
  • Annaram Barrage – for water control
  • Sundilla Barrage – for pumping and distribution

Major issues with the project

Structural damage

• In October 2023, the Medigadda barrage collapsed due to flooding after its pillars collapsed.
• In April 2024, the NDSA found design deficiencies, construction defects, quality control issues and non-compliance with safety standards in all three barrages.
• Problems like tilting and cracks in the piers were found at Medigadda, while leakage was also found at Annaram and Sundilla.

Geotechnical flaws

• Adequate geotechnical and modelling studies were not carried out before the project.
• Excessive water storage (10 TMC placed in barrages of 2 TMC capacity) increased the pressure on the foundation.

Way Forward

• NDSA recommends rehabilitation of the design, structural strengthening and detailed geotechnical investigation of the land.
• Hydraulic and structural modelling, safety assessment and long-term monitoring have been made mandatory.
• The government needs to ensure transparency, accountability and independent technical evaluation.