Hyderabad: The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has clarified that decisions on the utilisation of water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project fall under the jurisdiction of the Telangana government, reaffirming that its statutory role is limited to dam safety and structural oversight. The clarification comes as discussions continue over the project’s operation amid drought conditions and increasing demand for irrigation and drinking water.
According to the authority, the Dam Safety Act, 2021, empowers the NDSA to monitor dam safety, inspect critical infrastructure and help prevent structural failures. However, the agency does not determine how stored water should be allocated for agriculture, drinking water or industrial use. Those operational and policy decisions remain the responsibility of the respective state government. The clarification has renewed attention on the distinction between infrastructure safety and water resource governance. Water policy experts note that while engineering agencies assess whether dams and associated structures can operate safely, decisions on water distribution must also consider reservoir levels, seasonal demand, agricultural requirements and urban water security. The Kaleshwaram water utilisation debate has gained significance as Telangana faces pressure to balance irrigation needs with drinking water requirements during a period of below-normal water availability. The project plays a critical role in supplying water to farms, towns, industries and cities, making operational decisions economically and socially significant.
The authority also confirmed that a technical oversight committee has been constituted by the Union government’s Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to supervise rehabilitation works related to the Kaleshwaram barrages. The committee comprises experts from national technical institutions responsible for evaluating structural conditions and recommending engineering measures where required. Infrastructure specialists believe that separating technical safety assessments from administrative decision-making is essential for maintaining public confidence in large water projects. They argue that operational decisions should be guided by engineering evaluations while also addressing long-term water security, climate variability and equitable allocation among competing users. The Kaleshwaram water utilisation issue also highlights broader challenges facing Indian states as changing rainfall patterns increase pressure on large-scale water infrastructure. Climate experts suggest that integrated reservoir management, transparent decision-making and continuous infrastructure monitoring will become increasingly important as drought cycles become more frequent.
As Telangana evaluates future operations of the irrigation project, policymakers are expected to rely on technical assessments alongside water availability and public demand. The latest clarification reinforces that while dam safety authorities ensure structural integrity, the responsibility for deciding how and when water is released ultimately rests with the state government.
