Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is recognized as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, situated on the Godavari River in Telangana's Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. The project aims to supply water for irrigation, industrial, and domestic uses across northern Telangana, covering approximately 500 km and involving a canal network of 1,800 km.

Crisis at Medigadda

On October 21, 2023, a structural issue occurred when one of the pillars of the Medigadda Barrage sank, leading to flooding. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) was called upon to inspect the design and construction of the barrages in February 2024.

NDSA Findings

The NDSA discovered multiple issues, including:

• Lack of proper geo-technical investigations.
• Design deficiencies and construction defects.
• Structural distress and cracks in piers.
• Seepage or piping distress in Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
• Absence of robust quality control and maintenance failures.

Recommended Structural Fixes

• Rehabilitation of the design and comprehensive safety assessment.
• Immediate stabilization measures to address ongoing distress.
• Comprehensive geotechnical and geophysical assessments.
• Hydraulic and structural design improvements using advanced modeling software.