Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

• 06 May 2025

Source: IE 

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) in Telangana is under scrutiny after the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) reported significant structural damage and design flaws in the project. 

KLIP: 

• KLIP is the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project on the Godavari River, located in Bhupalpally district, Telangana. 
• It spans over 500 km across 13 districts, with a canal network of 1,800 km. 
• The construction of the project began in June 2019 and it aims to provide 240 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water for various uses, with 70% earmarked for irrigation. 
• The project starts at the confluence of the Pranhita and Godavari rivers.  
• KLIP uses massive pump systems and surge pools to lift water to elevated delivery chambers for distribution across a vast command area.  

River Godavari:  

• Godavari, often called Dakshin Ganga, is India’s second-longest river (after Ganga), originating from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra. 
• It flows 1,465 km eastward, draining in Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.  
• Major tributaries: Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, and Sabari (Left-Bank) and Pravara, Manjira, and Manair (Right Bank). 

NDSA: 

• NDSA is a statutory body headquartered in New Delhi, established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021 to regulate and oversee dams, formulate policies, resolve disputes and conduct awareness programs. 

Read More: Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.