Neglect leaves Kaleshwaram project, costly pumps idle for two years

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, once Telangana’s pride, remains idle with 104 pumps inactive for two years. Floods, safety directives and poor maintenance have crippled operations, raising fears of permanent damage to critical pumping units at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla

Hyderabad: Telangana’s Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, once hailed as the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, is today facing the perils of neglect.

Designed to irrigate 37 lakh acres across the State, it has been crippled by deliberate neglect and inactivity. Barring a few of the 104 high-capacity pumping units spread across 19 pump houses, including the key Medigadda (Kannepalli), Annaram and Sundilla facilities, most have remained dormant for over four crop seasons. These pumps, with capacities ranging from 27 MW to 139 MW, are designed to lift Godavari river water to elevations of up to 618 metres.

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Maintenance lapses, delayed repairs and regulatory hurdles over the past two years have taken a toll on their condition. Devastating floods in July 2022 and heavy monsoons in the following years submerged a few of them. By July 2023, they were fully restored with a focus on overhauling the 35 first-phase units at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla.

Though the three barrages have remained idle ever since the Congress came to power two years ago, State Irrigation officials had hoped to put them into use once the natural flood flow touched a minimum level of 30,000 cusecs at the Kannepalli (Medigadda) pump house.

In mid-2024, the officials gave a mechanical facelift to the pumping units and declared that the pumps were ready for revival of lifting operations. Temporary cofferdams and makeshift barriers were erected for water retention, as the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) had directed that the crest gates of all the barrages be kept fully open. Citing safety risks and structural concerns, the NDSA’s directives have kept the project idle. Since then, the project has witnessed no full-fledged maintenance. The same is the case with the power substations.

Due to prolonged neglect, irrigation officials fear that the extended idleness could cause irreparable damage to the pumps’ intricate components, from rotors to seals. “These aren’t just machines. They’re the lifeline of the project,” said an official.

However, project authorities maintain that the pumping units are ready for operation any time. Moves are afoot to resume operations once restoration works are taken up.

The project’s first phase, consisting of units at Medigadda (17 motors), Annaram (12) and Sundilla (14), may require another round of overhaul.

• KLIP’s 104 pumping units, including 35 in the first phase, remain idle for two years
• Officials fear permanent damage due to lack of maintenance
• Plans for phased upgrades stalled as the department faces a fund crunch
• KLIP pumping units have capacities ranging from 27 MW to 139 MW
• They are designed to lift water up to 618 metres elevation