Finish Kaleshwaram By May: Harish Rao To Engineers

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao directed the projecte engineers to complete the Kaleshwaram project by May 31, 2018.

The minister was holding a high-level review meeting with officials on the project, which was recently granted the final environmental clearance from the Centre, and said that he would take up a three-day tour of the project starting January 17.

The project forms a key component of the works being undertaken by the government as part of its mission to irrigate one crore acres in the state. At an estimated cost of Rs 90,000 crores, the project is expected to stabilize 18.80 lakh acres of land and irrigate 1.80 lakh acres of farm land under its command area which comprises 15 districts of North Telangana.

Stating that the project held immense significance for Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Harish Rao warned of serious consequences if any dereliction of duty was found in the execution of works. With the Chief Minister personally looking into the project, completing works on time must be given top priority, and related works, too, should be completed as per the set time frame, he said.

Taking stock of the works completed so far on the Sundilla Barrage in Peddapalli district under packages VI and VII - the barrage forms one of three proposed under the Kaleshwaram project - he asked the officials to maintain quality in all works executed. The officials were also asked to plan for the construction of two lifts on either side of the barrage.

Officials were also directed to speed up other works under package VII, and on the barrage gates of Annaram and Medigadda, apart from fabrication works.

With just 200 days left for shifting the Medigadda waters to the Mid Manair Barrage, the officials were also asked to give a daily report of their progess to the minister.