Telangana has long way to go to see Medigadda back in operation

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is unlikely to deliver irrigation benefits before 2027, as rehabilitation of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages faces delays. Farmers in Karimnagar and Warangal are protesting after six crop seasons have been skipped, with 2,350 TMC of Godavari flows wasted.

Hyderabad: Irrigation benefits from the Kaleshwaram project, dependent on the full-fledged operation of pumping units at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla, can be expected only after two more years — a timeline that could weigh heavily on the political landscape in the state ahead of 2028 assembly elections.

Despite the promises of quick rehabilitation, the three barrages are certain to make the farmers wait four more crop seasons for the much needed releases.

---

KLIP has skipped four seasons fully (Rabi 2023 to Kharif 2025) so far. Only 44,570 acres were partially watered in Kharif 2025 operating limited pumps to draw water from Yellampalli project.

Current Rabi (October-January) and likely Kharif 2026 will be lost, marking six seasons skipped and 2,350 TMC of wasted Godavari flows. Farmers in Karimnagar and Warangal are already in protest mode, demanding interim diversions.

As monsoons fade, Telangana is hopeful of KLIP revival by 2027. The processes involved in finalising fresh design and making the implementation agencies shoulder the task of rehabilitation would certainly push back the timelines set for realisation of the hopes.

The Medigadda barrage is still receiving about one lakh cusecs of water in the second week of November and it would take at least a month to recede to the minimum expected levels to assess the extent of impact of the structural issues in each one of the barrages. The government has assured that the designs would be ready within a year.

But in the final phase, the designs need to be approved by the Central Water Commission, an exercise that would take more time than the design preparation. The work execution timelines still remain fluid. But officials eye 18-24 months for completion if the weather conditions permit.

The Government has put the contractors of the three barrages on notice seeking their cooperation with the investigations and implementation of the rehabilitation works at their own cost as per the contractual obligation. They are expected to come out with their response within a week’s time.

But in the event of a legal standoff, as an official puts it, the key heads would retire and political bosses may lose the ground by the time they are back in action to fulfill their obligation. The government which has floated expression of interest notice for the designs has shortlisted five agencies for the purpose.

The so-called “systematic and scientific” efforts assured by the administration to restore the structures of the three key barrages , which have remained idle for seasons, depriving farmers of vital Godavari waters, are yet to unfold. The finalisation of the agencies for making designs would involve several checks.

The agencies shall score up to 60% on experience (at least three similar projects to have implemented in 15 years) and 40% on financials (minimum Rs 10 crore annual turnover from consultancies).

Shortlisted agencies will receive requests for proposals; one or three of them will be finalised after a review, probably by the weekend, pending Central Water Commission (CWC) nods.

Once selected, agencies will have six months for draft designs and an additional month for finals after CWC feedback, incorporating geo-physical data from Pune’s Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS). The state has a long way to go to see Medigadda back in full operation.