Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)

Context

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) in Telangana is under investigation by the PC Ghose Commission over alleged irregularities in its design, execution, and financial management during the previous BRS regime. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy affirmed that no individual—regardless of status—would be spared if found guilty.

Project Overview:

Name: Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)
Location: Kaleshwaram, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana
River: Godavari River, at the confluence with Pranahita River
Inception: Foundation stone laid in 2016, partially operational since 2019
Objective: To irrigate ~45 lakh acres, supply drinking water, and support industrial needs across 20 districts of Telangana

Engineering and Structural Features:

Type: Lift irrigation system — water is lifted from lower to higher elevations using high-capacity pumps
Scale: World’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project
Water Target: 240 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet)
Infrastructure:
- 28 packages under 7 links
- Barrages: Major ones include Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla
- Pumping stations, gravity canals, underground tunnels
- 1,800+ km of canal network
- Covers 13 out of 33 districts in Telangana
Upstream Influence: Begins at confluence of Pranhita and Godavari Rivers

Hydrological Context:

Pranahita River: Formed by the confluence of Wardha, Wainganga, and Painganga Rivers
Drainage Basin: Seventh-largest in India, spanning Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh