The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has held that environmental clearance (EC) to Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) was granted ex post facto, after completion of substantial work, by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) “in violation of law”.
- NGT has directed the Telangana government to stop all work, except the drinking water component of the project, until further orders.
- The environmental clearance, granted to the project in Karimnagar district on December 22, 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, was cancelled by the NGT on October 12.
About Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System
- The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System is considered to be one of the world’s largest multi-purpose projects.
- It is designed to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes to about 45 lakh acres in 20 of the 31 districts in Telangana, apart from Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
- It is a unique project because Telangana will harness water at the confluence of two rivers with Godavari by constructing a barrage at Medigadda in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district and reverse pump the water into the main Godavari River.
- The total length of the entire Kaleshwaram project is approximately 1,832 km of which 1,531 km is gravity canals and 203 km comprise water tunnels.
Mission Bhagiratha
- Mission Bhagiratha is the Rs 43,000-crore project to supply drinking water to every household in villages, draws a large quantity of water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
(Source: IE and TH)
