In yet another positive development for progress of Kaleshwaram irrigation project, the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Monday gave hydrological clearance (approval) with the observation that the net availability of water with 75% dependability at Medigadda barrage site is 284.3 TMC ft.
The project has secured first-stage clearance for diversion of 3,168.13 hectares of forest land for Kaleshwaram work on October 25. Similarly, the Centre has cleared the air on the project three days back stating that it is only a continuation of the previous Pranahitha-Chevella project and not the new one. Accordingly, it need go to Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) set up under the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act for clearance.
In a communication received by the State Government from CWC on Monday, the apex body stated that ample water is available for Kaleshwaram project at Medigadda barrage site to meet the proposed irrigation and drinking water needs. It has also given the go-ahead to the State Government for its plans on the project designs.
Director of Hydrology (South) wing of CWC Nityanand Rai stated in the communication that the net yield of water at Medigadda barrage site was arrived at after going through the details of daily average net yields from 1971-72 to 2010-11. The CWC has observed that there is no surplus water available from Wardha, Manair and middle Godavari sub-basin but supplementation from Pranahitha and Penganga sub-basins has been taken into consideration even after keeping aside upstream utilisation of 20 TMC ft water for the proposed Pranahitha project.
The CWC has suggested the State Government to adopt the design flood (peak) of 81,576 cubic meters at Medigadda barrage site. Similarly, it has suggested a design flood of 64,937 cubic meters for Annaram and Sundilla barrages, which form part of the Kaleshwaram project to pump back water from Medigadda to Yellampally reservoir, also a barrage.
From Yellampally, conveyance of water for Kaleshwaram project would be done through 20 en-route lifts, 20 en-route online storages, conductor system of 1,832 km comprising 1,531 km gravity canal, 203 km tunnel gravity canals and 98 km of pressure mains.
Meanwhile, Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao said the CWC clearance was a great step forward for the project. He also stated that the Ministry of Environment and Forests has also responded positively to the State Government plea to exempt forest lands required for the project from the eco-sensitive zone norms.
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