Telangana: Kaleshwaram project pins hopes on Pranahitha inflows

HYDERABAD: Though inflows into Godavari river are not encouraging due to continuing dry spell and almost nil inflows from upstream Maharashtra, Pranahitha river has become a ray of hope for the Kaleshwaram project.
Going by the current situation, it may take a month to release water from Yellampally to Mid Manair, which is the first phase of the Kaleshwaram project.
As many as nine pumps have been operationalised at Kannepally and Annaram pump houses and each pump has been lifting about 2,200 cubic feet per second (cusecs), according to irrigation officials.
“Six pumps at Kannepally pump house are being operated for the past one week by releasing about 13,200 cusecs to Annaram barrage, while three pumps at Annaram pump house are lifting 9,000 cusecs of water and releasing into Sundilla,” a senior irrigation department official said.
Officials said the inflows were sufficient for taking water up to Yellampally project. “While Medigadda barrage full reservoir level (FRL) is 16 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft), the present level is just 6 tmcft, while Annaram barrage present level is 8 tmcft against FRL of 11 tmcft. Since Sundilla is yet to receive inflows from Annaram, the present water level is just 2 tmcft against its FRL of 9 tmcft,” Sridhar Deshpande, officer on special duty (irrigation), said.
Irrigation department officials said the main reservoir of Kaleshwaram project, Yellampally, has now four tmcft water level while its full capacity was 20 tmcft.
“Top priority is being given for supply of drinking water to Greater Hyderabad, NTPC and Mission Bhagiratha from Yellampally. Once the reservoir gets more than 20 tmcft, water will be released for irrigation purpose,” another official for Kaleshwaram irrigation official said.