Kaleshwaram Inquiry Commission

Context

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is under scrutiny for alleged irregularities and structural issues, leading to the formation of a Judicial Inquiry Commission. Understanding the scale and significance of KLIP is essential for assessing the broader governance and infrastructure management challenges in India.

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP):

Location: Constructed on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
Purpose: Multi-purpose project designed for irrigation, municipal water supply, and drinking water needs in 20 of the 31 districts in Telangana, including Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Scale:

World’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project.
Covers ~45 lakh acres of farmland.
Water lifted across various stages using massive pump houses and pipelines.

Technical and Geographical Features:

Source River: Begins at the confluence of the Pranahita and Godavari Rivers.
Pranahita Sub-Basin: Formed by tributaries like Wardha, Painganga, and Wainganga, contributing to the 7th largest drainage basin in the Indian subcontinent.
Infrastructure Details:

Comprises 7 major links and 28 project packages.
Spans approximately 500 km across 13 districts.
Associated canal network exceeds 1,800 km, enabling extensive water distribution.