GOI gives environmental clearance for Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme

The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently accorded environmental clearance for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) in Telangana. Excerpts of KLIS project are as follows: The project envisages construction of a barrage across River Godavari near Madigadda village in Karimnagar district of Telangana. Apart from Medigadda barrage, two more barrages between Medigadda and Sripada Yellampally are proposed to be constructed. However, the Centre has put some conditions before granting the clearance. The conditions are: As the submergence area is very large (about 13,706 hectares), micro-climatic change conditions in the project area during construction/post-construction period to be reported at regular intervals. Preference shall also be given to plant local indigenous species. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 80,499.7 crore and proposed to be completed in 3 years.