Kesharam Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP): Revolutionising Telangana's Water Security

Introduction

The Kesharam Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), recognised as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation scheme, utilises water from the Godavari River to revitalise drought-prone areas in Telangana. This ambitious undertaking lifts water over 500 meters above the riverbed to irrigate approximately 45 million acres, with an initial projected cost of roughly Rs. 40,000 crores. By addressing persistent water shortages, this massive project fosters agricultural development and economic growth across 13 districts.

Historical Background

Telangana's formation in 2014 spotlighted acute irrigation deficits, with only 41% of cultivable land irrigated compared to the national average. The Pranahita-Chevella project from undivided Andhra Pradesh laid the groundwork, but KLIP emerged as its redesigned successor under Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's vision.

Construction commenced in 2016, with inauguration on 21 June 2019 by Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan. Spanning 500 km and involving 28 packages across seven links, it replaced groundwater dependency with reliable canal supplies, stabilising 18 lakh acres while adding 20 lakh new acres.

Political shifts amplified its narrative; controversies over costs and structural issues at Medigadda barrage surfaced post-2023 elections, yet its foundational role in Telangana's agrarian renaissance remains undisputed.

Project Overview: What is KLIP?

KLIP lifts water from the Godavari at Kaleshwaram in Bhupalpally district, near the Pranhita-Godavari confluence. It sources 240 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) annually—195 TMC from Medigadda barrage, 20 TMC from Sripada Yellampalli, and 25 TMC from groundwater.

Key components include three barrages (Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla), 19 pump houses with 250 pumps (capacity 3 TMC/day), surge pools, and a 1,800 km canal network. Water rises 500 metres in stages through tunnels and reservoirs, irrigating 45 lakh acres for two crops annually.

This multi-purpose project allocates 70% water for irrigation, the rest for Hyderabad's municipal supply, industry, and rural drinking needs under Mission Bhagiratha.

Why KLIP Was Necessitated

Telangana faces semi-arid conditions, with rainfall concentrated during the monsoons, and over-reliance on bore wells depletes aquifers. Pre-KLIP, farmers endured crop failures; the project ensures year-round irrigation, targeting Rabi and Kharif seasons.

Economic imperatives drove it: agriculture employs 55% of the workforce, yet yielded low productivity. KLIP promises doubled incomes via assured water, alongside groundwater recharge via Mission Kakatiya tanks.

Downstream Godavari utilisation was inefficient; KLIP captures floodwaters upstream of Maharashtra, optimising interstate allocations under the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal.

Engineering Marvels and Innovations

KLIP's scale dwarfs global peers like China's Three Gorges pumps. Each lift uses variable-speed pumps for energy efficiency, with Asia's largest 116 MW pump house at Lakshmi Barrage.

Tunnels span 81 km, including 14.5 km at Pump House 3, bored through Deccan basalts. Surge pools mitigate hydraulic surges, while SCADA systems enable remote monitoring.

A special feature: AI-driven predictive analytics for water demand forecasting, integrated with satellite imagery for crop health. This proprietary enhancement optimises distribution, reducing losses by 15%—a forward-thinking addition absent in original designs.

Economic and Agricultural Impact

Post-commissioning, KLIP irrigated 12 lakh acres in its first phase, boosting paddy yields by 20%. Farmer incomes rose via stabilised cultivation; districts like Jayashankar Bhupalpally saw GDP growth of 8%.

Industrial corridors in Hyderabad benefit from 16 TMC allocations, spurring manufacturing. Drinking water reaches 70% of households, curbing migration.

Long-term projections: Rs 1 lakh crore in benefits over 25 years, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.5:1 per official audits, though critics question overruns.

Aspect		Pre-KLIP	Post-KLIP
Irrigated Area		18 lakh acres	38 lakh acres
Crop Cycles		One per year	Two crops annually
Groundwater Use		80% dependency	Canal shift, recharge +30%  ​
Farmer Income		Rs 50,000/ha	Rs 1.2 lakh/ha

Environmental Considerations

KLIP augments Mission Kakatiya, recharging 46,000 tanks and restoring wetlands. Canal linings minimise seepage, preserving ecosystems.

Critics highlight submergence of 40,000 acres and siltation risks; the National Green Tribunal noted environmental clearance lapses in 2019. Mitigation includes afforestation of 50,000 hectors with Water efficiency stands at 85% via drip integration, superior to gravity canals.

Controversies and Challenges

Cost escalated from Rs 38,000 crore to over Rs 1 lakh crore, fuelling graft allegations. Medigadda barrage cracks in 2023 prompted judicial probes, halting Phase 2.youtube​

Engineering audits by NHPC flagged design flaws, yet defenders cite Russian expertise and global benchmarks. Political weaponisation persists, with opposition demanding white papers.

Despite hurdles, 90% completion ensures partial functionality.

Future Prospects and Sustainability

KLIP's Phase 2 eyes 10 lakh more acres; smart sensors and IoT for real-time leak detection form proposed upgrades. Climate-resilient crops via water stability aid adaptation.

Interlinking with Polavaram could enhance resilience. Sustainability hinges on maintenance funds and transparent governance.

Conclusion: The Kesharam Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) stands as a notable example of how engineering ingenuity is deployed to correct historical agrarian imbalances in semi-arid regions. Its principal benefit lies in lifting and redistributing river water to drought-prone uplands, traditionally excluded from gravity-fed irrigation systems. By overcoming natural topographical constraints, KLIP transforms water from a geographically limited resource into a socially distributive one.

From an engineering standpoint, KLIP excels through its large-capacity pump houses, energy-efficient motors, and synchronised canal networks, designed to transport water across long distances and significant elevation gradients. The project integrates modern automation and flow-control mechanisms, reducing water loss and improving operational precision. Its phased design allows scalability and adaptive management in response to seasonal hydrological variations.

Critically viewed, KLIP is more than a technical structure; it is an intervention in rural political economy. It stabilises agricultural output, reduces farmers’ dependence on monsoons, and encourages crop diversification, thereby enhancing food security and rural employment. However, its success is contingent upon sustained power availability, ecological safeguards, and equitable water governance. Without these, the very scale that makes KLIP an engineering marvel could also render it economically and environmentally vulnerable. When managed judiciously, KLIP exemplifies how large-scale hydraulic engineering can serve inclusive development rather than mere infrastructural grandeur. Let us not forget to salute our engineers with an open heart.

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