Kaleshwaram revived this farmer’s land, income and family hopes; Now water has stopped

Farmer Narsaiah Madikanti’s journey reflects Telangana’s agricultural revival through Kaleshwaram. Once a migrant labourer, he now farms paddy on irrigated land. Rising land values, better income, and Rythu Bandhu aid uplifted his family, though current uncertainty looms

Hyderabad: In Mahabubabad, 45-year-old Narsaiah Madikanti’s journey mirrors Telangana’s transformation, driven by the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). His family once struggled to cultivate seven acres of land in drought-prone Thirumalayapalem, surviving on meagre harvests. “We barely grew enough to eat,” he recalled.

Years ago, Narsaiah gave up the rain-dependent land to his brothers and turned to auto-driving in search of a better livelihood. Later, he migrated to Dornakal mandal, bought two-and-a-half acres of land, and resumed cultivation to supplement his income.

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Supplementary water from Kaleshwaram to the SRSP Stage II revived hopes across the region. For Narsaiah, the turnaround was personal. With improved irrigation and government aid through Rythu Bandhu, he earned enough not only to sustain his family but also to support his son’s post-graduation in a Rajasthan university and his daughter’s degree, which she completed this year.

The arrival of KLIP water to his village, part of the SRSP Stage II ayacut, and the Rythu Bandhu assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre transformed his fortunes. Land values shot up from Rs 3 lakh an acre to Rs 30 lakh.

Where once only a single rain-fed crop was possible, Narsaiah now grows paddy twice a year on his three acres. “Before Kaleshwaram, my fields were dry all year. The last three crop seasons have been different. Otherwise, things would have been much worse,” he said. “Now there is no water again. We are uncertain about this Kharif,” he added, echoing the apprehensions of thousands of farmers in the region.

“By 2025, Telangana’s fields shimmered green—a stark contrast to its dusty plains a decade ago. I remember my father saying Punjab fed India when other states struggled. It’s our turn now. The current setback with Kaleshwaram is temporary. No government can afford to write it off,” he asserted.