Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project
Topic: Water Resources of India: Availability, Use and Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project is a scheme on the Godavari in Telangana, opened in 2019. Lift irrigation means pumping water uphill, unlike normal canals where water flows downhill. Kaleshwaram lifts water in many stages through barrages and reservoirs to reach higher farmland. It is one of the world's largest multi-stage lift schemes. Its huge pumps need a lot of electricity, which raises its running costs.
Example
In October 2023, piers of the project's Medigadda barrage on the Godavari in Telangana sank. This raised questions about the project's safety and cost (verify current).
Don't confuse with
- Polavaram project: this is also on the Godavari but in Andhra Pradesh. It carries Godavari water to the Krishna through its right canal, mainly by gravity flow, not multi-stage pumping.
Related concepts
- Multipurpose river project
- Temples of modern India
- Bhakra-Nangal project
- Hirakud dam
- Damodar Valley Corporation
- Sardar Sarovar project