Hyderabad, Nov 4: G Kishan Reddy, the President of the Telangana BJP and Union Minister, asserted that the shortcomings of the much-hyped Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) have been exposed in a report submitted by the expert committee of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
In a statement issued on Friday, Reddy said that the committee’s report, submitted to the Ministry of Jala Shakthi, categorically indicates fundamental lapses in the project, encompassing aspects such as planning, design, quality control, and operations and maintenance. He also noted that the choice of project site is erroneous, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the project’s future.
Kishan Reddy announced his intention to visit the project tomorrow, following an earlier visit by party leader E Rajender.
He stated, “Upon coming to power, we will initiate a comprehensive inquiry and take action against those responsible, whether it be the Chief Minister, Minister, Contractor, or officer. The project has incurred a massive loss of Rs. 1 lakh crore to the exchequer. Super Engineer and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao must accept moral responsibility,” he told reporters at a party media center set up at Hotel Katriya Towers on Friday, alongside former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Kishan Reddy emphasized that there was an undue hype surrounding Kaleshwaram, and it was even featured on the National Geographic channel. He pointed out that the project’s cost has escalated from Rs. 40,000 crore in 2014 to Rs. 1.3 lakh crore today. He claimed that it has primarily benefited only the KCR family and was constructed primarily for financial gain. Mr. Reddy mentioned that within four years, pillars have sunk and about 10 tmcft water was released, intended for drinking and irrigation. The overall project has been significantly impacted, and its future is in doubt. He expressed concern over the silence from Chief Minister KCR.
Furthermore, he noted that while the annual maintenance and operations cost per acre amounts to Rs 85,000, the income per acre will be only Rs.40,000, resulting in a cost-benefit ratio of 1:05.
Kishan Reddy also mentioned that he had filed a complaint with the Jala Shakthi Ministry after pillars sunk due to piers damage. In 2021, Parliament passed the Dam Safety Act, which led to the establishment of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). He criticized the state government for providing only 11 out of the 20 sets of information requested by NDSA. He pointed out that the project cannot be utilized until Medigadda is repaired, and its feasibility remains uncertain.
