The Kaleshwaram project in Telangana has triggered a political storm, with the Revanth Reddy government and the BRS party locked in a standoff. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced a CBI investigation into the project, a move that comes after a heated debate in the Assembly. The decision to involve the CBI was based on the project’s multi-state implications and the involvement of various central and governmental departments and agencies.
The Kaleshwaram project is a multi-purpose irrigation initiative situated on the Godavari River, specifically in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally district, Telangana. The project was initiated during the tenure of the BRS government, with its foundation laid in 2016. The main objective was to provide water for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial purposes across Telangana. Former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) had hailed it as the ‘lifeline’ of Telangana, and it is considered one of the largest lift irrigation schemes in the world. The project encompasses the confluence of the Pranahita and Godavari rivers and utilizes a vast canal network that spans over 1,800 kilometers. Conceived by the BRS government, it aimed to bring irrigation to over 1.6 million acres of land in 13 districts of Telangana and stabilize existing agricultural areas. The project’s design included the storage and distribution of 240 TMC feet of Godavari River water, with allocations for irrigation, drinking water for Hyderabad, industrial and other uses, and providing drinking water to villages along the way.
The Kaleshwaram project has been riddled with controversies since its inception. The initial plan was to locate the project at Tummadihatti, but the location was later shifted to Medigadda. The reason given for this shift was water availability issues, despite reports from the Central Water Commission (CWC) indicating ample water resources at Tummadihatti. There have been allegations of substandard construction, including claims that the barrages were built on weak foundations, which led to the collapse of the Sundilla barrage and damage to the Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
The decision to order a CBI investigation follows a commitment made by the Congress party during the election campaign. After assuming power, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy established a judicial commission headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose. Over a 15-month period, the commission investigated, questioning over 110 witnesses, including former Chief Minister KCR and Minister T. Harish Rao. The government is now reviewing the commission’s report in the Assembly, seeking input on the future course of action, and ultimately leading to the CBI investigation announcement.
Meanwhile, the BRS maintains that the project secured all necessary approvals and had been approved by the Assembly. Chief Minister Reddy disclosed that the government has so far spent ₹49,835 crore on the Kaleshwaram project, with ₹29,956 crore going toward interest payments and ₹19,879 crore towards principal payments. He also mentioned that he had facilitated the restructuring of over ₹26,000 crore of debt with the assistance of the central government. Reddy has accused the BRS government of taking high-interest loans and changing the location of the barrage from Tummadihatti to Medigadda to allegedly misappropriate public funds, despite reports from retired engineers expressing concerns about the changes.
In the Assembly, the judicial commission’s report, presented by the government, indicated that former Chief Minister KCR could be held legally responsible. The BRS members staged a walkout, protesting the lack of opportunity to present their views. The report indicated that the irrigation minister at the time issued arbitrary orders and the finance minister was negligent, while the ultimate responsibility for the irregularities in the planning, construction, and operation of the barrages lay with the former Chief Minister.