Hyderabad: It was a historic moment when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao switched on the sixth (lucky number for him) motor at Kannepalli pump house and a few minutes later, the water from the river Godavari started flowing into the gravity canal, marking the success of the world’s largest lift irrigation project, Kaleshwaram.
After inaugurating the bridge constructed across the Godavari between Telangana and Maharashtra states, Mr Rao, Governor E.S.L Narasimhan and Chief Ministers Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Devendra Fadnavis went up to the Maharashtra border by car and on to the bridge.
The project was completed in a record time and envisages lifting at least 2 tmc ft of water every day over a height of half a kilometre to cater to the irrigation, drinking and industrial needs.
The inauguration began with Mr Rao and his wife Shobha taking part in the Jalashaya Prathisthanga Yagam and Jalakankalpa Maho-tsava Yagam at Mediga-dda and Kannepalli performed by Sringeri Sharada Peetham priests to appease Goddess Godavari. Vedic scholars blessed the three Chief Ministers and the Governor.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy formally unveiled the plaque marking the inauguration of the Medigadda barrage. Mr Rao played guide to his hosts as they went across various components of the barrage. Later, they made their way to the Kannepalli pump house where they observed the massive pumps.
Mr Rao said the historic agreement reached with Maharashtra state was the key factor. He thanked Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis for all his support and cooperation.
Mr Rao felicitated guests and Maharashtra and presented them with mementos. He also felicitated the bankers who extended financial support to the project.
Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi, said, “Today will be written in golden letters as it is the day when the Kaleswaram project is inaugurated within a short span of three years.”
He said he was happy that the dream of the Chief Minister of cultivating bumper crops is becoming a reality.
Other stages of the project were also commissioned on Friday. While minister Niranjan Reddy inaugurated the barrage at Annaram, minister Mahmood Ali switched on the pump house.
The Sundilla barrage was launched by minister Malla Reddy and the Medaram pump house by minister Koppula Eashwar. Minister Jagadish Reddy turned on the pump house at Lakshmipur.
