Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project Controversies in Telangana

• A multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari river in Telangana.

• Billed as the lifeline of Telangana by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.

• Aims to store and distribute 240,000 million cubic feet of Godavari water.

• Project cost initially ₹71,000 crore, escalated to over ₹1 lakh crore over time.

• Faced controversies, including relocation from Tummidihatti to Medigadda despite receiving hydrology clearance.

• Allegations of barrage construction on permeable foundations and shifting project location.

• A one-man judicial commission was constituted to probe the project lapses.

• BRS government appears guarded in its response, but Mr. Harish Rao defended the project, claiming approvals from several statutory bodies and the Cabinet.