One final nod pending for Telangana's Kaleshwaram project

HYDERABAD: Close on the heels of the environmental clearance, Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) is likely to get another major and final clearance from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Union Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR). State irrigation officials are camping in Delhi and pursuing the matter with officials of MoWR.“Kaleshwaram will be listed for discussion at the next Technical Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for the first week of January,” official sources said on Wednesday. 

TAC clearance means that clearances from all the 18 directorates in MoWR are given. “This will be the last clearance, which includes the cost appraisal. We have already got inter-state and hydrology clearances,” the sources explained. Already, the State government is in an advantageous position before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as KLIS has received forest and environmental clearances.

The NGT directed the State not to proceed with irrigation works like digging of canals till the State received the forest and environmental clearances. “Now, the case at NGT will be dismissed,” an official said. The next clearance needed for the project is financial clearance. However, once, TAC of MoWR clears the project, the State may not go for financial clearance. “We have already tied up with banks for funding. Financial clearance is needed for external borrowings. The State may think of seeking financial clearance later. Once the TAC gives its nod for the project, there will be no hurdle,” the sources said.

Though construction of the first barrage at Medigadda will take some more time, government plans to divert Godavari water from Medigadda through an approach channel. Water will be lifted at Medigadda with two motors, each of which will lift 2 tmcft of water a day and water will be flown into Mid-Manair, which is 200 km downstream of Godavari.Taking the water up to Mid-Manair will benefit the State on two counts. It will fill up minor irrigation tanks in the erstwhile Karimnagar and Warangal districts, and also, if needed, will divert the water through reverse pumping from Mid-Manair to Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP).

Financial clearance not needed now
Though financial clearance is needed normally, it is meant for external borrowing but the State has already tied up with banks for funding.