"kaleshwaram-lift-irrigation-project"

The Irrigation department started the pumping after former Minister T Harish Rao had wrote to Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy.

Following a letter from former Minister T. Harish Rao on Saturday, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to pump water into the Ananthagiri reservoir. From there, water will be pumped to Ranganayaka Sagar, Mallanna Sagar, and Kondapochamma Sagar in the coming days to meet the irrigation needs of the Vanakalam season in the erstwhile Medak district.

Giving in to mounting pressure from farmers in its ayacut, pumping operations were resumed drawing water from the Yellampalli reservoir, instead of Medigadda to feed multiple reservoirs that are part of the KLIP network.

Four to five pumping units are expected to be made operational any time before sunset at the Yellampalli reservoir, officials confirmed.

On the second day, the BRS MLAs and MLCs delegation visited the Lakshmi Pumphouse on Friday. The delegation inspected the pumphouse and spoke to officials.

The barrage, a crucial component of the Kaleshwaram project, with all its flood gates opened is able to discharge over 3.70 lakh cusecs of water without any signs of distress

He stated that the Medigadda barrage, which was written off by the Congress government, had disproved all the allegations against it by standing resolute and rocksolid surviving the flood once again

Some officials have reportedly opted to appear virtually for the inquiry. The commission is focusing on various aspects, including the alleged financial irregularities and technical flaws in the project’s design, planning, and execution.

Patha Venkataramana, who led the team, told pressmen that building the barrage across Pranahita river was the only option left following sinking of the piers of the Medigadda barrage, a part of KLIP.

The Judicial commission headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose started its work in May and made multiple visits to the project as part of the information gathering exercise.

The Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), one of the three agencies whose services were drafted for this purpose, is yet to reach Medigadda barrage.

The government was keen in conducting the studies only by engaging the competent organizations of the Central government.

The CWPRS was engaged by the State government along with two other Central agencies for further investigations.

In view of the urgency involved in the task assigned by the State government, the team reached Medigadda and started its investigation at the barrage.

The physical and technical aspects of each barrage would be studied by two of the organisations identified.

TS govt for further probe into all 3 barrages

Justice Ghose is expected to visit the project and interact with the officials and official agencies involved in the implementation of the three barrages - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla ahead of finalising the probe schedule.

Except a few, almost all water bodies have dried up due to the drought as well as the non-lifting of water from the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.

Harish Rao on Tuesday had demanded the government to release water from Mallanna Sagar within 24 hours, failing which people in the command area of the project would lift the gates of the project on their own.

Despite previous criticisms of the project's efficacy, he noted the sudden release of water to Karimnagar, indicating political maneuvering rather than genuine concern for farmers' welfare.