TELANGANA: Kaleshwaram Project: KCR Defends Government Approvals in Inquiry
Former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) appeared before the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission on June 11, 2025, to address allegations of irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). The inquiry, initiated in March 2024, probes structural issues at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. KCR emphasized that all project decisions were made with government and cabinet approval, supported by technical expertise.
Cabinet-Sanctioned Decisions
KCR clarified that the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages was undertaken with full cabinet approval. He stressed that decisions, including site selection and water storage, were driven by technical teams, not political directives.
The commission questioned the shift of the project from Tummidihetti to Medigadda, to which KCR responded that the relocation was based on expert recommendations and Central Water Commission (CWC) reports.
Technical Basis for Site Shift
The original Tummidihetti site, part of the Pranahita-Chevella project, was deemed unviable due to limited water availability (48 TMC at 148 meters) and environmental constraints in Maharashtra. A WAPCOS survey, approved by the CWC, identified Medigadda as suitable, with 282.30 TMC of water availability, allowing for 230 TMC to be lifted.
KCR noted that permissions from 11 CWC directorates and a Lidar survey, authorized by the Defense Minister, supported the redesign. The Annaram and Sundilla barrage locations were similarly determined by technical standards.
Water Storage and Maintenance
KCR asserted that water storage decisions were made by engineers based on technical assessments, not political mandates. He highlighted that ₹280 crore was allocated via GO 45 (December 28, 2020) for barrage maintenance post-defect liability period.
An Executive Engineer-level officer was appointed to oversee operations, ensuring autonomy in fund allocation for barrage management.
Commission’s Inquiry Process
The Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, probing planning, design, construction, and maintenance lapses, posed 18 questions to KCR during a 50-minute in-camera hearing. Key issues included project re-engineering, barrage site changes, and loan repayment mechanisms.
KCR submitted a report titled The Lifeline of Telangana, detailing the project’s redesign, WAPCOS findings, and CWC approvals. He avoided commenting on a specific December 2017 meeting when questioned.
Structural Concerns and Ongoing Probe
The inquiry was triggered by structural failures, including the sinking of two piers at Medigadda and seepage at Annaram and Sundilla. The commission is examining potential lapses in quality control and decision-making processes.
Recent hearings have also involved former minister Harish Rao, with the probe scrutinizing the roles of engineers and contractors, including a Larsen & Toubro joint venture.
Neutral Stance Amid Scrutiny
KCR’s appearance underscores the ongoing scrutiny of the ₹1.5 lakh crore KLIP, hailed as a critical irrigation project but criticized for alleged mismanagement. The commission’s findings, expected to conclude soon, will clarify accountability for the reported irregularities.
The project’s scale—encompassing 3 barrages, 15 reservoirs, 203 km of tunnels, and 141 TMC storage—remains a focal point of both pride and contention in Telangana’s development narrative.