Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS). (Image: DC)
Hyderabad: The previous BRS government misinterpreted the findings of the Central Water Commission (CWC) regarding water availability at Tummidihatti on the Pranahita River and proceeded with the construction of barrages for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla, claimed K. Raghu, a leader of the employees JAC.
Talking to the reporters following his cross-examination at the Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of Inquiry into the KLIS barrages, Raghu, who had earlier submitted an affidavit to the commission, explained that the CWC had clearly stated that 165 TMC ft of water would be available at Tummidihatti for 75 years out of 100, where the Pranahita Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme was planned. However, the BRS government had argued that only 102 TMC ft would be available if Maharashtra, the upper riparian state, used 63 TMCft of the total water.
Raghu contested this claim, stating that it was incorrect, as the upper riparian state using the river's water would be illegal. He also pointed out that since KLIS operations began, no more than 50 TMCft of water had been drawn from the river. Moreover, he emphasised that pumping water from Tummidihatti would have cost a quarter of what KLIS currently spends—around Rs 1,000 crore per year.
When asked by the commission whether the information in his affidavit was accurate, Raghu responded by saying yes. Regarding the sources of the documents he submitted, he stated that they were gathered from publicly available resources.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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