The 2025-26 Economic Survey reports that the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, launched by the previous BRS government, increased Telangana's cultivable land by 70%. This comes amid criticism from the current Congress government over irregularities in the project. The findings offer relief to the BRS amid ongoing probes.
Amid political tensions in Telangana, the 2025-26 Economic Survey highlights a significant rise in the state's cultivable land. The report states that the area grew from 1.31 crore acres in 2014 to 2.2 crore acres by 2023-24, largely due to flagship projects like the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and Mission Kakatiya, initiated by the previous BRS government from 2014 to 2023.
The survey notes, “In Telangana, the cultivated area, which stood at 1.31 crore acres in 2014, increased to 2.2 crore acres by 2023-24 due to major flagship projects, such as the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and Mission Kakatiya (tank rejuvenation). Therefore, access to irrigation facilities, aligning crops with natural resource endowments and using climate-resilient high-yielding variety seeds, among other interventions, are imperative for improving yields.”
However, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) identified “irreparable damage” in three barrages of the project, including severe settlement and cracking in the Medigadda barrage's piers. Similar seepage issues affect the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. The current Revanth Reddy-led Congress government requested an NDSA inspection in February 2024 and publicized the findings, citing design deficiencies, construction defects, and maintenance failures.
The P C Ghose Commission, probing alleged irregularities, held former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) responsible. The BRS dismissed the probe as politically motivated. BRS working president K T Rama Rao stated, “The Economic Survey 2025-26 has put it on record: The Telangana ‘Decade of Transformation’ under BRS rule stands out as one of India’s most successful state-led development stories.”
The survey provides a boost to the BRS, even as the Congress continues its investigations. Located on the Godavari river, Kaleshwaram spans 13 districts with an 1,800 km canal network to supply water to northern Telangana.