The State government has given administrative approval for two major components of Kaleshwaram project — a gravity canal with discharge capacity of 142 cumecs to Kondapochamma reservoir and formation of the reservoir with an estimated cost about ₹4,010 crore.
The gravity canal has been proposed in place of a D-shaped tunnel planned as part of the original Pranahita-Chevella project with a carrying capacity of 24.6 cumecs. However, based on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the redesigning of irrigation projects, execution of a gravity canal was found to be feasible with a two-stage pumping system.
Accordingly, the administrative approval was given on Friday for execution of the work along with the associated components as part of Package-14.
The off-take point of the gravity canal would be at 8.150 km of Package-13 to carry water to Kondapochamma reservoir with a cost of ₹2,281 crore.
Similarly, the government has given approval for the formation of Kondapochamma reservoir at Pamulaparthy village in Siddipet district with a storage capacity of 15 tmc ft as against one tmc ft proposed as part of the original project and the revised capacity of seven tmc ft later.
The construction of the reservoir has been divided into two parts and the first reach of the work from 0 km to 5.5 km has been approved with a cost of ₹965.9 crore and the second reach from 5.5 km to 15.8 km has been approved with a cost of ₹762.8 crore.