Mahadevapur (KARIMNAGAR): Terming the Kaleswaram project as the “lifeline of North Telangana”, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday exuded confidence that people of the region would reap rich benefits from the project within two-and-a-half years.
Mr Rao, along with his wife K. Sobha performed bhoomi puja for a barrage at Medigadda village in Mahadevapur mandal on Monday at 10.02 am as advised by Vedic pundits. Several ministers, legislators, including MP K. Kesava Rao and Balka Suman, and district authorities were present.
The Chief Minister said that the foundation station was laid for the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project after intense scrutiny. “I am very happy. I congratulate the irrigation minister, authorities and everyone else. Water will be lifted to Sripada Sagar at Yellampalli in Ramagundam from this project and then it will be conveyed to mid-Manair reservoir from where it can be supplied to upland Medak, Warangal, Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy districts and Hyderabad city,” Mr Rao said.
As per officials, there is scope for optimum tapping of water here. Construction of pump houses is being taken up in a way that the water can be lifted even before the construction of barrages is completed. Steps are taken to complete the pump houses within 15-16 months.
Mr Rao stated that with the help of Kaleshwar Project, a reservoir would be built at Pathipaka of Choppadandi to meet the irrigational and drinking water needs of Karimnagar district.
When completed, the project will help stabilise the existing Kakatiya Canal, while water of Sriram Sagar Project can be supplied to upland areas of the district.
Earlier, Mr Rao laid foundation stone for a pump house at Kannepalli village near Medigadda.
He performed special prayers at the ancient Sri Kaleshwara-Muktheshwara Swamy shrine in Kaleshwaram and gifted a golden crown to goddess Shubhananda Devi as a token of gratitude for achieving Telangana state. In 2012, he had vowed to present the crown to the goddess if Telangana became a reality.
Statues to honour KCR planned
A life-size statue of the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is being installed at Kaleshwaram irrigation project for which he conducted bhoomi puja on Monday.
Manthani MLA Putta Madhu got the statue made and would install it at the project site in Mr Rao’s honour.
Reminding that a statue of Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton, a British general was installed at the Dowleshwaram Barrage across the Godavari for devoting his life to the construction of irrigation and navigation canals throughout British India, Mr Madhu said, “KCR has provided precious water to the state. He should be remembered forever.”
TRS leaders are calling Mr Rao “Apara Bhagirathudu” and going to town hailing redesigning of irrigation projects, MoU with Maharashtra, Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya and and other schemes to ensure TS has water in abundance.
Sources in TRS said similar statues are being planned for other irrigation projects like Palamur Lift Irrigation project.
“We are planning to install KCR statues at every new irrigation project in his honour. What Congress and TD governments failed in undivided AP, TRS government is doing it,” a senior TRS leader said.
