HYDERABAD: As there were no obstacles for the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said that the officials concerned should ensure that the project is completed on a fast track basis. Back from his two-day visit to Kaleshwaram work sites in Karimnagar, the Chief Minister on Saturday held a marathon review meeting for over seven hours at Pragathi Bhavan on Saturday. Every minute issue relating to the construction of KLIS was thoroughly reviewed by the CM as the prestigious project will provide water to seven most backward districts of the state.
“All the required permissions, funds, land acquisition and other related issues have been cleared and as such there are no obstacles for the construction of the KLIS,” Rao said during the review.
As the drinking water scheme Mission Bhagiratha was dependent on waters from the Kaleshwaram project, those works need to be expedited, Rao directed the officials. He suggested that the environmental clearance for the final stage of KLIS would come soon and before that, plans for designs and other construction works should be kept ready.
The CM said that inter-state agreements on the Kaleshwaram project were over and the CWC had given its nod to it. Forest clearances were also given and the environment clearances would be given shortly. In addition to the provision of `25,000 crore in the budget, another `20,000 crore has been mobilised through banks and other financial institutions. Rao said that besides budgetary allocations, the government would provide `20,000 crore from banks for the project.
KCR heaps praises on Harish
“People in Telangana have set high hopes on Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao. They have faith that the irrigation officials will complete all the projects and provide water to them. The minister and his officials are working in tune with the needs of the people. Harish did a wonderful job in getting agreement assured with the Maharashtra government. CE Venkateshwarlu also spoke several times to his counterpart in Maharashtra. The same determination and commitment should be shown while completing the projects. Henceforth Harish Rao should visit Kaleshwaram every 10 days and Chief Secretary and I will visit the project once a month. It is important to bring water from Medigadda to Mid-Manair and we have a maximum of 200 days left for this. Utilise the time and complete the works at the earliest,” the CM said at the review.
Official team to monitor KLIS
The Chief Minister constituted a committee with 26 engineering officials to monitor the motors and pump houses of KLIS works. The panel will have 16 engineers from the Energy department and 10 engineers from the Irrigation department. Rao entrusted the responsibility to assess and make designs when water enters the flood canal from Kaleshwaram to engineer-in-chief Muralidhar Rao. He also reviewed the Mid-Manair dam construction works.
Minutes of
review meet
Laying of two-lane road on the barrages on permanent basis for the pump houses, sub-stations and canals
Providing power staff at the pump house to coordinate with the Irrigation officials
Constructing guest house at every barrage
Works on barrages, pump houses, embankments, canals and reservoirs should be done simultaneously
Providing necessary arrangements for safety and security at the barrages
Preparing helipads on a permanent basis at every project site
Supplying power to operate gates at Tupakulagudem, Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages