The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme is an ambitious multi-purpose irrigation project located on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally, Telangana. Starting at the confluence point of the Pranahita and Godavari rivers, this project was initially named the Pranahita-Chevella project while under the jurisdiction of the former Andhra Pradesh. However, in 2014, it went through a redesign and expansion process and was subsequently renamed the Kaleshwaram project under Telangana state.
Godavari River: A Vital Lifeline
The Godavari River holds the title of the second-longest river in India after the Ganga, with its source traced back to Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra. It stretches out for an impressive 1,465 kilometers eastwards, draining several states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Karnataka, before finally discharging into the Bay of Bengal via an extensive network of tributaries.
The major tributaries of the river are divided into left bank tributaries, including the Purna, Pranhita, Indravati and Sabari river, and right bank tributaries such as Pravara, Manjira, and Manair. Notable religious events such as the Kumbh Mela are also held at certain points along the Godavari River by rotation every four years.
One of the notable aspects of the Godavari River is the Sadarmatt Anicut, an irrigation project recognized by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in its Register of Heritage Irrigation Structures.
About Pranahita River
The Pranahita River is the largest tributary of the Godavari River. It covers about a third of the drainage basin of the Godavari River and is fed by several smaller tributaries like Wardha, Penganga and Wainganga Rivers.
Benefits of the Kaleshwaram Project
The primary objective of the Kaleshwaram project is to provide drinking water and irrigation facilities to the less developed areas of Telangana. It aids in restoring the groundwater level by shifting from groundwater usage for irrigation to surface water usage. The project also bolsters the Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha schemes, which are designed to supply drinking water to several villages and enhance the capacities of tanks across the state.
Mission Kakatiya: Reviving Water Bodies
Launched by the Telangana Government, Mission Kakatiya is a flagship program aiming at the rejuvenation of existing water tanks and other water storage structures. Its main objective is to offer assistance to small and marginal farmers across the state.
Mission Bhagiratha: Ensuring Safe Drinking Water
Mission Bhagiratha is another significant project undertaken by the Telangana state government in an effort to supply safe drinking water to every village and urban household.. The goal of the project is to deliver piped water to 2.32 crore individuals residing in approximately 20 lakh urban households and 60 lakhs rural ones. Sourcing water from the Godavari and Krishna rivers, it ensures the provision of clean drinking water to all households in the state.