KALESHWARAM: WATER, POLITICS AND THE PRICE PAID BY FARMERS

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, once hailed as Telangana's flagship irrigation initiative, has become the centre of an intense political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS. While the Congress alleges that the project's redesign, execution, and construction were marred by irregularities and poor planning, the BRS maintains that the government is exploiting technical issues for political gain instead of restoring irrigation facilities.

The controversy intensified after structural damage was reported at the Medigadda Barrage in 2023, prompting vigilance and judicial inquiries, along with an investigation by the National Dam Safety Authority. The government has since kept the barrage gates open due to safety concerns, preventing water storage and affecting pumping operations.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy recently challenged former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) to defend the project in the Assembly, while BRS leader T. Harish Rao claimed he could restore water supply within three months if entrusted with the irrigation portfolio.

Designed to irrigate over 18 lakh acres and meet drinking and industrial water needs, the ₹1 lakh crore Kaleshwaram project is regarded as one of the world's largest lift irrigation schemes. However, continuing political disputes have raised concerns that farmers are bearing the brunt of delayed repairs and stalled operations, with experts calling for technical solutions over political confrontation.