KTR to Visit Kaleshwaram Project, Seek Immediate Use of Godavari Waters for Irrigation

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) will visit the Kannepalli (Lakshmi) Pump House of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project today along with a party delegation, demanding the immediate operation of the pump house motors to lift Godavari water for irrigation and drinking water purposes.

The visit is aimed at pressuring the Congress government to utilise the water currently flowing in the Godavari River instead of allowing it to flow downstream unused. The BRS has alleged that despite the availability of water, the government has not taken timely steps to pump and distribute it to farmers, particularly at a time when several regions are facing concerns over water availability.

According to the party, rainfall across the Godavari basin has been below normal this year due to the impact of El Niño , resulting in lower storage levels in reservoirs. BRS leaders said that reservoirs in the basin are currently filled to only about 23 per cent of their capacity , raising concerns about water resources for agriculture in the coming months.

The party further stated that around 15,000 cusecs of water is presently flowing through the Godavari at the Medigadda Barrage and that inflows are expected to rise significantly, potentially crossing 60,000 cusecs in the coming days. Given this situation, the BRS argued that the government should take immediate measures to harness the available water.

Citing the opinions of engineers and water management experts, the party said there is scope to begin pumping operations through the Kannepalli Pump House without relying entirely on the Medigadda Barrage. According to the BRS, activating the pump house would help utilise the current river flows effectively and support both agricultural needs and drinking water requirements .

During the visit, KTR and the BRS delegation will inspect the pump house facilities and review the situation on the ground. The party said the programme is intended to build pressure on the state government to begin pumping operations immediately and ensure that available Godavari waters are put to productive use for the benefit of farmers and the public.