Kaleshwaram Project: BRS Rebuts Congress Allegations, Highlights Transformative Impact on Telangana Agriculture
HYDERABAD, June 7, 2025 – In a robust defense of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao accused the Congress party of orchestrating a disinformation campaign to mislead the public about the project’s merits and impact. Presenting a detailed analysis of the project at the BRS party office, Mr. Rao addressed key criticisms related to cost escalation, location changes, and the project’s contribution to Telangana’s agricultural growth. The presentation, attended by senior party leaders including Working President K.T. Rama Rao, underscored the BRS’s commitment to transparency and its determination to counter what it perceives as politically motivated attacks.
Mr. Rao refuted the Congress party’s claims downplaying Kaleshwaram’s role in the state’s increased paddy and food grain production. He asserted that water drawn from the Mid Manair reservoir and Yellampally, both integral parts of the Kaleshwaram network, significantly contributed to the agricultural boom. Furthermore, he expressed his willingness to present documentary evidence and testify before a judicial panel to substantiate these claims and dispel any lingering doubts about the project’s effectiveness.
The former minister highlighted the project’s unique design, which draws water from three distinct sources: the Link-I system comprising three barrages and associated pump houses, the Yellampally reservoir utilizing floodwater from the Kaddam project, and the Sriramsagar reservoir leveraging floodwater via the Flood Flow Canal and Kakatiya Canal. This multi-source approach ensures a consistent water supply for irrigation, even during periods of fluctuating rainfall, enhancing the resilience of Telangana’s agricultural sector.
Addressing the Congress party’s criticism of the project’s shift away from the Tummidihatti barrage, Mr. Rao pointed to the previous Congress government’s failure to secure necessary clearances and approvals for the project over a seven-year period. He attributed this inaction to the complexities of navigating approvals from multiple state governments (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra) and the central government, which held power during that time. Mr. Rao explained that the BRS government was compelled to explore alternative locations due to Maharashtra’s opposition to the interstate agreement on the 152-meter full reservoir level (FRL), significant submergence concerns in Maharashtra, and the presence of a wildlife sanctuary. He further noted that the Central Water Commission had determined that even at the 152-meter FRL, water availability for the Pranahita-Chevella project, the predecessor to Kaleshwaram, would be limited to 102 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) after allocating 63 tmc ft to the upper riparian state. At the lower 148-meter FRL, water availability would have dwindled to a mere 44 tmc ft, making the project unviable.
Mr. Rao justified the increased cost of the Kaleshwaram project by emphasizing the significant expansion of water storage capacity from 16 tmc ft in the original plan to 141 tmc ft under the Kaleshwaram project. This substantial increase in storage capacity ensures greater water security for irrigation and other needs. He also cited the higher land acquisition costs as another contributing factor. The average land acquisition cost for the Kaleshwaram project was ₹11 lakh per acre, significantly higher than the ₹2 lakh per acre for the earlier Pranahita-Chevella project, reflecting the increased value of land and the project’s expanded scope.
The BRS government maintains that the Kaleshwaram project represents a transformative investment in Telangana’s agricultural landscape, empowering farmers and boosting food production. By addressing the Congress party’s criticisms head-on, Mr. Rao aimed to reinforce public confidence in the project’s efficacy and long-term benefits. The BRS government views Kaleshwaram as a cornerstone of its development agenda, ensuring water security and promoting sustained agricultural growth in the state. The party’s commitment to presenting factual data underscores its confidence in the project’s positive impact on Telangana’s economy and the livelihoods of its farmers.