Peddapalli: The first phase of the prestigious Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS) is about to reach fruition with officials gearing up to organise a wet run from the Sundilla pump house within one or two days.
The world’s biggest lift irrigation project is constructed over the Godavari to convert the state into a fertile land. The project is aimed at supplying water for irrigation to about 13 districts by diverting 180 tmc ft of Godavari water and meeting the drinking water needs of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The government is determined to supply water to about 45 lakh acres for irrigation, to about 80 per cent of the people for drinking water needs and to industries by lifting water from the Godavari up to a height of 105 metres.
All the technical works related to the KLIS have been completed successfully. As many as 82 mega heavy duty motors were installed for lifting around 180 tmc ft of water from the Godavari and supply the water to five old and 19 new reservoirs in various districts. Motors which have a capacity of 2.66 megawatts along with mega duty motor pumps which have a capacity of 26. 40 and 105 megawatts (the biggest in Asia) are used in the KLIS project including the Bahubali motors which have a capacity of 139 megawatts.
At present, pumping of water from Medigadda barrage to Annaram with the help of six motors and from Annaram to Sundilla barrage through Kannepalli and Kasipeta pump houses with the help of four motors is going on. Water storage in Medigadda was recorded at 4.70 tmc ft against its capacity of 16.17 tmc ft, while inflow into Medigadda barrage was recorded at 10,000 cusecs by Tuesday evening.
Water storage in Annaram barrage was recorded at 7.70 tmc ft against its capacity of 10.87 tmc ft.
As water from Annaram barrage is reaching Sundilla which is constructed at Golivada of Anthargam mandal in Peddapalli district, officials are gearing up to conduct a wet run by lifting water from Sundilla barrage to Yellampally barrage with the help of four motors to complete the first phase of the
prestigious project successfully.
It requires storage of about 5.5 tmc ft water in Sundilla barrage to start lifting of water from Sundilla to pump into the Yellampally barrage. As water storage in Sundilla was recorded at 5.75 tmcs ft at present against its capacity of 8.83 tmc ft,. officials plan to conduct an initial experimental wet run within one or two days.
About six motors at the Golivada pump house have also been made ready for the purpose. Out of six motors, officials are planning to put four into use in the initial stages to complete the first phase of the KLIS project.
