In a massive blow to the Telangana Government, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has halted Telangana Government’s Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Expansion. The court has observed deviations in the Environmental Clearances to the Prestigious Project of the KCR Government.
The Tribunal has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests to form Seven Members expert committee to study environment damage caused by the project and make the concerned accountable. The Ministry asked the committee to submit a report in six months.
The counsel appearing for the Government argued that the project should not be stopped as it will change the face of the backward classes and the state already spent huge money on it. But the Tribunal did not buy the argument and passed the order.
Kaleshwaram is the World’s Biggest Lift Irrigation Scheme. The estimated capital cost in the Detailed project report, DPR was of Rs.80,000 crores. This reported having increased to Rs.100,000 crores. Some experts say it will go up to 160,00,000 Crore by the time of completion. The project was originally as per the DPR supposed to irrigate 18 lakh acres. but now it appears it has been revised to 36 lakh.
