Kaleshwaram irrigation project has secured to more clearances from the Central Water Commission (CWC) — the irrigation planning and cost estimate — taking the total clearances to nine.
According to officials of the Irrigation Department, the Irrigation Planning Directorate of CWC has accepted the compliance submitted by the project proponent, the State government, for giving the irrigation planning clearance.
The State government has submitted a report on the revised simulation studies for the period 1971-72 to 2011-12 on 10-day basis instead of monthly basis submitted earlier.
Water utilisation
Based on the revised simulation studies the CWC has observed that the studies have been found to be in order and water utilisation for the project by lifting at Medigadda is revised to 195 tmc ft from 180 tmc ft as estimated earlier.
Similarly, the Directorate stated in its communication to the State government on April 13 that the availability of 240 tmc ft water to the project is also in order. It has estimated the success rate of the project in terms of water availability at 78%
Expenditure incurred
Similarly, the Cost Appraisal Directorate of CWC has also given its approval to the project finalising its cost at ₹80,190.46 crore at SOR 2015-16 and the expenditure incurred on it till March 2018, according to competent authority, is ₹30,653.98 crore. Based on the cost appraisal, the benefit cost ratio would be revised.
Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao has thanked Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari for giving two more clearances to the project.
