Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Lift irrigation

Lift irrigation is a of supplying to agricultural fields by mechanically raising it from lower sources, such as or , to higher elevations using pumps or other -driven devices, enabling in areas inaccessible to -based flow systems. This approach contrasts with traditional flow , which depends on natural and minimal input, and is particularly vital in regions with undulating or elevated farmlands where water sources lie below levels. Lift systems typically involve pumping stations that elevate water to forebay tanks or chambers, followed by via canals or pipelines, with advantages including reduced land acquisition needs and lower conveyance losses compared to extensive canals. However, they incur higher operational costs due to demands and potential environmental drawbacks from fossil fuel-powered pumping, such as . Prominent examples include India's , the world's largest multi-stage system, which lifts water across multiple stages to irrigate approximately 18.25 hectares, stabilize rural economies, and supply and water across 13 districts. The project features extensive infrastructure, including 20 reservoirs, over 1,500 kilometers of canals, and advanced pumping , though it has drawn attention for substantial construction costs exceeding initial estimates.

Fundamentals

Definition and Principles

Lift irrigation is a method of supplying water to agricultural fields by mechanically elevating it from a source at a lower elevation, such as a river or reservoir, to higher-lying land using pumps or other powered devices, in contrast to gravity-fed systems that rely on natural topographic flow. This approach enables irrigation in regions where fields are situated above available water bodies, addressing limitations imposed by terrain that preclude passive distribution. The core principle derives from fluid mechanics and energy conservation: water must be imparted sufficient kinetic energy to overcome gravitational potential differences, quantified by the equation for hydraulic power P = \rho g Q H / \eta, where \rho is water density, g is gravitational acceleration (approximately 9.81 m/s²), Q is volumetric flow rate, H is total dynamic head (including lift height, friction losses, and velocity head), and \eta is pump efficiency. Energy input—typically from electric motors, diesel engines, or, historically, animal power—drives centrifugal, submersible, or positive displacement pumps to achieve this lift, with system design prioritizing minimal head to reduce power consumption, as each additional meter of lift exponentially increases energy demands due to compounded inefficiencies in real-world piping and turbine losses. Operational principles emphasize reliability of and source availability, as interruptions can halt distribution; for instance, in variable flows, structures with screens prevent clogging, while forebays or tanks buffer fluctuations in to maintain steady or flow downstream. Unlike irrigation, which incurs no recurrent costs but demands precise channel gradients to avoid or seepage (typically 0.1-0.5% slopes for main canals), lift systems trade capital-intensive for flexibility in undulating topographies, though they exhibit higher operational expenses—often 2-5 times those of methods per unit volume lifted—necessitating economic viability assessments based on crop value, lift height (ideally under 20-30 meters per stage for cost-effectiveness), and local tariffs. Multi-stage lifting, with intermediate reservoirs, mitigates excessive single-lift heads exceeding practical limits (around 100-150 meters for vertical pumps), distributing loads across sequential stations.

Technical Components and Mechanisms

Lift irrigation systems utilize pumps to elevate water from lower-lying sources, such as rivers or reservoirs, to higher elevations for irrigation purposes, countering gravitational flow limitations. The primary mechanism involves converting electrical or mechanical energy into hydraulic pressure head via pump impellers, enabling water ascent through pipes or channels, typically ranging from 10 to 200 meters in lift height depending on scheme design. This process demands precise engineering to minimize energy losses and ensure reliability, with systems often staged in multiple lifts for extreme elevations to optimize pump efficiency. Core technical components include structures or sumps at the source to and direct inflow, preventing ingress; pumping stations equipped with pumps, motors, and ; rising mains of or pipes to convey pressurized ; and delivery forebays or tanks at elevated levels for and gravity-fed . Pumping stations house vertical or horizontal configurations, with forebays acting as intermediate reservoirs to dissipate and regulate downstream flow. Distribution networks post-lift comprise open canals or pressurized pipes, often lined to reduce seepage, integrating gates and weirs for volumetric . Pumps form the mechanistic heart, predominantly centrifugal types for their capacity to handle high discharges at moderate heads through impeller rotation that imparts , converting velocity to via volute diffusers. Vertical pumps, featuring multi-stage bowls with enclosed s on a vertical , suit deeper sumps and higher lifts by sequentially boosting , while axial-flow propeller pumps excel in low-lift, high-volume scenarios akin to fans propelling axially. Prime movers, typically electric motors powered by grid or generators, drive these pumps, with efficiencies optimized via variable frequency drives for load matching. Control mechanisms incorporate automated valves, pressure sensors, and supervisory control and data acquisition () systems to manage flow rates, prevent —where vapor bubbles form and collapse under low —and mitigate transients like during startups or shutdowns. Surge protection devices, such as air vessels or valves, safeguard pipelines from pressure surges, ensuring structural integrity and operational continuity. Overall, these elements integrate to achieve duty cycles calibrated to crop water demands, with power consumption directly proportional to lift height and discharge volume per Darcy's principles adapted for pumping.

Historical Development

Origins and Early Applications

The origins of lift irrigation lie in ancient water-lifting technologies developed to overcome gravitational constraints and extend to elevated or inland fields. These early methods relied on human, animal, or natural power rather than modern electric pumps, marking the transition from purely gravity-based systems to engineered elevation of water sources. In , the shaduf—a counterweighted pole pivoted on , with a bucket or scoop at one end—emerged around 2000 BCE as a primary tool for raising floodwaters to higher canal-fed fields, enabling basin during dry periods and supporting surplus crop production. This device, operable by a single person, could lift approximately 2.5 cubic meters of water per hour to heights of up to 3 meters, demonstrating early in efficiency. Similar lever-based tools, known locally as dhenkli or mot, appeared in ancient and other Asian regions for drawing well or river water to small plots, adapting the principle to local agrarian needs. Advancements in rotational lifting devices followed, with water wheels such as the (bucket-equipped wheels turned by river flow or animals) documented in , , and the by 300 BCE, capable of irrigating terraced or upland areas by continuously elevating water up to 10-15 meters. In , the araghatta—a geared system powered by oxen or bullocks—facilitated similar applications from at least the 4th century , drawing via pots attached to an endless for distribution through channels in semi-arid regions. The Persian wheel, or , an evolution of these, used geared rotation to lift water from depths of 5-10 meters, powering irrigation in and wells by the early medieval period, with capacities reaching 20-30 liters per revolution. Additional traditional Indian devices included the chadas, an animal-driven contraption employing leather bags on a rope pulley to hoist well in , effective for lifts of 10-20 meters and still sporadically used into the before diesel pumps displaced them. These pre-industrial systems expanded by 20-50% in water-scarce locales, fostering agricultural intensification and urban growth, though limited by and low throughput compared to later mechanized schemes. Their persistence underscores causal links between innovations and sustained in flood-dependent or upland ecologies.

Post-Independence Expansion in India

After in , pursued systematic expansion through the Five-Year Plans to combat food insecurity and enhance agricultural output, with total irrigation potential rising from 23 million hectares in 1950–51 (including 13 million hectares from minor sources) to 123 million hectares by the end of the Tenth Plan in 2007. Lift schemes, classified under minor , emerged as a practical solution for irrigating elevated or undulating terrains where gravity-fed canals were infeasible, enabling water lifting from rivers, reservoirs, or low-lying sources via pumps to higher distribution networks. These schemes complemented major projects by targeting small commands (typically under 2,000 hectares) and providing rapid implementation, as emphasized in the (1951–1956), which allocated resources for minor works to achieve quick productivity gains in rainfed regions. The proliferation of lift irrigation accelerated from the 1970s onward, coinciding with and advancements in pumping technology, which reduced operational costs and expanded coverage in states like , , and . In , for example, government-introduced lift systems irrigated additional villages by drawing from rivers like the , supporting intensive cropping in command areas. National Minor Censuses, commencing with the first in 1986–87, documented growing numbers of surface schemes—totaling thousands by the 1990s—predominantly state-owned and powered by or , with potential utilization improving from 79.7% in the fifth census (2006–07) to 85.1% in the sixth (2017–18). This growth reflected shifts toward decentralized minor , though challenges like uneven and over-reliance on subsidies persisted, contributing to only partial realization of created potential in many schemes. By the 2000s, lift irrigation had become integral to programs like the Command Area Development initiatives, integrating with larger river basin projects to optimize tail-end supplies and mitigate impacts, thereby sustaining yields in arid and semi-arid zones. Despite comprising a smaller share compared to minor schemes (which accounted for over 94% of minor irrigation by 2017–18), surface lift systems added measurable coverage, with village-level data from censuses showing distributions across public and private ownership to serve fragmented holdings.

Geographical Distribution

Prevalence in India

Lift irrigation is widely employed in to irrigate elevated terrains from lower water sources, particularly in peninsular states characterized by plateaus and valleys, such as , , , , and . These schemes address limitations of gravity-based systems in undulating landscapes, enabling expanded in rainfed regions. The 6th of Minor Schemes (2017-18) recorded 595,981 surface lift schemes nationwide, forming part of the 1.21 million surface water schemes within the total 23.14 million minor irrigation setups. These minor surface lift schemes have generated an irrigation potential of 2.69 million hectares, with 2.00 million hectares actually utilized, yielding a 74% utilization ratio. dominates with 239,278 such schemes, reflecting heavy reliance in its drought-vulnerable and areas, followed by (63,899 schemes) and (32,391 schemes). Private ownership prevails, comprising 83.9% of schemes, mostly individual farmers, though public schemes support community needs. Beyond minor schemes, major lift irrigation projects amplify prevalence, especially in southern states; for instance, Telangana's initiatives like target over 1.8 million hectares, underscoring a strategic push to mitigate amid groundwater depletion. Overall, while constitutes a modest fraction of India's ~70 million hectares net irrigated area—dominated by canals and tubewells—its role is critical for upland , with scheme numbers stable or slightly declining from prior censuses amid shifts toward efficient alternatives.

Global Contexts and Comparisons

Lift irrigation schemes, involving the mechanical lifting of water from lower to higher elevations for agricultural use, are implemented in various regions beyond , though often under different terminologies such as pumped or pressurized irrigation. In , these systems constitute a significant portion of irrigated ; for instance, they cover over 50% of Uzbekistan's irrigated land and 46% of Tajikistan's, with widespread adoption in and due to the region's topography and reliance on river sources like the and . These schemes typically employ pumps powered by or to overcome elevation differences, but face challenges from aging infrastructure and high energy costs, contrasting with India's larger-scale, canal-integrated projects that often incorporate generation for partial energy offset. In , lift irrigation supports vast arid and semi-arid areas, exemplified by the Guhai High-Pressure Water Lift Project, which elevates water by 470 meters to irrigate approximately 1.11 million hectares in desert regions. Multi-stage lifting systems, involving up to five elevation increments, have been deployed in provinces like to ensure timely during droughts, as seen in 2022 rice fields covering 253 hectares. Compared to Indian schemes like those in , Chinese implementations emphasize integration with national water diversion projects, such as the South-North Water Transfer, achieving higher efficiencies through advanced monitoring but incurring substantial upfront costs exceeding those of gravity-fed systems. Sub-Saharan Africa features predominantly small-scale, farmer-led lift irrigation using manual, motorized, or solar-powered pumps, with technologies like drip systems in enabling year-round cultivation amid erratic rainfall. In , community-managed schemes highlight sustainability issues, including pump maintenance and equitable water distribution, differing from India's state-driven mega-projects by prioritizing decentralized, low-cost solutions that irrigate smaller plots—often under 1 per farmer—but yield higher productivity gains relative to investment. Nepal's efforts, aiming to expand solar lift-irrigated areas from 2,119 in 2024 to 25,000 by 2029, underscore a shift toward to mitigate diesel dependency, a trend less pronounced in India's fossil-fuel-reliant large lifts. Globally, lift irrigation's adoption correlates with and terrain constraints, yet economic viability varies: Central Asian and Chinese systems achieve broad coverage through centralized planning, while African models excel in adaptability but struggle with due to limited . remains a universal drawback, with schemes worldwide consuming 20-50% more power than alternatives, prompting innovations like integration in developing regions to reduce operational costs by up to 40% compared to grid-dependent pumps. In contrast to India's focus on multi-cropping via massive lifts, international comparisons reveal a between scale and , where smaller schemes in and foster community ownership but cover less cumulative area.

Major Schemes and Implementations

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) constitutes a multi-stage, multi-purpose scheme engineered to divert and elevate Godavari River waters for irrigation, drinking supply, and limited hydropower generation in Telangana's upland regions. Spanning Bhupalpally district near the Pranahita-Godavari confluence, it replaces the earlier Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Project by relocating intake points upstream to Kaleshwaram, thereby bypassing potential interstate water-sharing disputes with Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The system employs 28 pump houses across seven progressive lift stages, raising water elevations cumulatively to approximately 150 meters before channeling it via reservoirs and an extensive gravity-fed network exceeding 1,800 kilometers in length. Initiated in 2016 under the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now ) government led by Chief Minister , KLIP targets stabilization of agriculture across 1.64 million acres (ayacut) in seven districts, focusing on drought-prone terrains ill-suited for surface gravity . Official projections anticipated annual support for 458,000 hectares of stabilized ayacut and 162,000 hectares of additional wet crops, supplemented by filling 100 minor tanks and enabling industrial water allocation. Construction progressed rapidly, with partial inauguration on June 21, 2019, attended by regional chief ministers, though full operationalization remains incomplete as of 2025. Initial cost estimates stood at ₹71,000 , but escalations—attributed to design expansions, component additions, and procurement practices—pushed expenditures beyond ₹1 lakh , with some audits citing figures up to ₹1.47 lakh . Engineering and operational challenges have undermined the project's viability. In October 2023, multiple piers (numbers 15–20 in Blocks 6–8) of the Medigadda (Laxmi) Barrage—a critical headworks structure—experienced and partial collapse, triggered by riverbed scour and instability during flows. Engineering assessments attributed the failure to geological shifts and inadequate scour protection rather than inherent design flaws, yet the incident halted water releases and necessitated comprehensive structural audits across KLIP's barrages. High energy demands for pumping, estimated at substantial annual costs per irrigated , further strain fiscal sustainability, with critics highlighting that operational expenses may exceed benefits in low-rainfall scenarios. Governance scrutiny intensified post-2023 elections, with the incoming administration commissioning a judicial probe under former P. V. Chandrasekhar Rao. The 2025 report identified procedural irregularities in tendering, contractor selection, and component sizing—such as oversized pumps and deviated alignments—potentially inflating costs without proportional hydraulic gains, though it deferred criminal culpability determinations. Consequently, on September 1, 2025, the government directed a () inquiry into alleged and execution lapses, amid opposition claims of political expediency overriding technical prudence during original construction. Despite these setbacks, proponents maintain KLIP's core has facilitated initial water deliveries to reservoirs like Annaram and Yellampalli, averting acute shortages in serviced command areas, though independent verification of net irrigated acreage lags official claims.

Other Notable Projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

The Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), initiated in , aims to harness 90 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of floodwater from the basin over 60 days to irrigate upland areas across , Mahabubnagar, , Rangareddy, and districts, creating potential for approximately 5.5 acres of new ayacut. The project involves multiple pumping stations and reservoirs, with construction ongoing as of 2025 and a targeted completion by December 2027, though it has faced delays and interstate disputes over water allocation with . Estimated costs contribute to broader investments exceeding ₹1.25 crore when combined with related schemes, emphasizing lift mechanisms to address drought-prone terrains. The Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme, also in and renamed R. Vidyasagar Rao Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme, utilizes water from the to provide for 3.61 acres and drinking water supplies across , , and districts through a main and branch networks. Launched with an estimated cost of ₹6,190 , the project incorporates stations to serve fluoride-affected and drought-vulnerable regions, though progress has been hampered by land acquisition delays and environmental clearances as of 2023. It represents an effort to stabilize existing ayacut while expanding coverage via pumped distribution. In , the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project, operational since 2016, diverts water to the Krishna Delta via 24 pumps each capable of lifting 350 cusecs, enabling irrigation for over 1.3 million acres during surplus flows and mitigating impacts in Krishna-dependent regions. Constructed rapidly from 2015 to 2016 at a cost emphasizing quick deployment, it has facilitated consistent water releases, including trial runs in 2024, though high energy demands for continuous operation raise long-term sustainability questions. The Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) proposes to lift up to 3 tmcft of water daily from Srisailam Reservoir on the to irrigate arid districts, with an estimated cost of ₹6,828 and potential ayacut exceeding 5 acres through extensive canal networks. Initiated under prior administrations, works have proceeded amid legal challenges from over unauthorized diversions without Krishna River Management Board approval, leading to halts and referrals as of 2025. Additionally, Telangana's Chinna Kaleshwaram (Mukteshwar) Lift Irrigation Scheme targets lifting 4.5 from the Godavari to replenish 14 minor irrigation tanks across 63 villages in Mahadevpur and adjacent mandals, with ₹571.57 allocated in 2024 for completion to support localized mitigation. These projects highlight regional reliance on lift irrigation for inter-basin transfers, tempered by interstate water-sharing tensions and operational demands.

Emerging Schemes in Other Regions

In , the Panam High Level Canal Lift Irrigation Project, initiated in March 2021 and targeted for completion by January 2024, exemplifies recent efforts to expand irrigation in water-scarce . Executed under the , the scheme links reservoirs and ponds in Santrampur Taluka of , serving a command area of 36,405 hectares across multiple water user associations. Commissioned in August 2025, it enhances agricultural productivity in over 130 villages by providing reliable lifting and distribution, addressing chronic through pressurized canal extensions and lining to minimize losses. Rajasthan's Kalisindh Lift Irrigation Project Phase II, part of the broader Chambal basin interlinking under the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal scheme, represents an ongoing expansion to irrigate arid upper reaches. This phase involves multiple pumping stations and pipelines, including 4.6-meter diameter mains, to deliver water from the Kalisindh River, targeting over 110,000 hectares in drought-prone areas spanning and adjacent regions. Construction updates as of indicate active development of break pressure tanks and over 80 kilometers of pipelines, aiming to benefit 270 villages through lifted supplies from Narmada-Chambal linkages. In , the Ramthal (Marol) Lift Irrigation Scheme integrates lift mechanisms with , with Stage II components scaled up since 2017 to cover 11,000 hectares across 22 villages in . Water is pumped from the Narayanpur reservoir to a delivery chamber, then distributed via networks to 6,700 farmers, promoting efficient use in semi-arid zones and enabling shifts to high-value crops like grapes and pomegranates. This model, Asia's largest community-based -lift hybrid, demonstrates scalability for emerging adaptations in southern , with ongoing phases emphasizing for reduced and equitable allocation.

Technical Advantages

Irrigation Efficiency and Coverage

Lift irrigation systems enable expanded coverage by pumping water to higher elevations and terrains inaccessible to gravity flow, thereby irrigating upland and undulating lands that would otherwise remain . This approach utilizes downstream river or sources without necessitating large dams or extensive land submergence, facilitating the development of new command areas in water-scarce regions. In , surface lift schemes under minor irrigation have contributed to creating substantial potential, with national censuses reporting millions of such installations supporting diversified cropping in elevated zones. Conveyance efficiency in lift irrigation often exceeds that of open-channel gravity systems due to the use of closed pipelines, which minimize seepage, evaporation, and unauthorized abstractions. For example, the Nagulapadu Lift Irrigation Scheme in achieved approximately 90 percent through precise pumping and distribution controls, demonstrating reduced losses in well-maintained setups. When paired with pressurized distribution networks or , lift systems can enhance overall by 20 to 80 percent relative to or furrow methods, as water is delivered more uniformly and closer to root zones, optimizing crop yields per unit volume. Mobile lift irrigation variants further improve coverage flexibility by allowing deployment to temporary drought-prone fields, promoting equitable access and higher utilization rates of created potential. These schemes, powered by or efficient motors, support adaptive in variable climates, with government initiatives reporting increased irrigated extents in targeted areas through such innovations.

Land and Resource Utilization Benefits

Lift irrigation systems enable the cultivation of elevated and undulating terrains by mechanically raising water from lower sources, such as rivers or reservoirs, to higher command areas inaccessible via gravity flow, thereby converting previously unproductive or lands into arable fields. In India's varied , this capability expands irrigable areas, particularly in arid or hilly districts where natural water flow is insufficient. For instance, a lift irrigation initiative in district, , targets 24,000 acres of high-altitude farmland across ten historically water-scarce villages, facilitating reliable crop production in regions prone to . Large-scale implementations, such as those along the , demonstrate this by elevating water up to 618 meters to irrigate roughly 4 million acres, transforming vast tracts of underutilized land into productive agricultural zones. Resource utilization benefits stem from reduced infrastructure footprints and conveyance inefficiencies inherent in lift methods. Unlike extensive gravity canals, lift systems require minimal land acquisition for pipelines and pumping stations, preserving more surface area for farming and avoiding displacement in land-constrained settings. Water resources are conserved through lower losses, as pressurized delivery via pipes curtails evaporation, seepage, and unauthorized abstractions typical of open channels, achieving conveyance efficiencies often exceeding those of traditional systems. These efficiencies promote intensive by supporting year-round or multi-cropping on elevated plots, optimizing finite volumes for higher yields without expansive or diversion works. In or community-led variants, allows targeted application to culturable wastelands near water bodies, minimizing of distant aquifers or rivers while stabilizing .

Operational Challenges and Disadvantages

Energy and Maintenance Demands

Lift irrigation systems demand substantial energy inputs primarily due to the mechanical pumping required to elevate water against gravity, contrasting with lower-energy gravity-fed alternatives. In Telangana, lift irrigation schemes consumed 1,617 million units (MU) of electricity in 2020-21, rising 13% to 1,830 MU in 2021-22, with projections indicating a potential 190% increase in overall power usage by such systems in subsequent years. Large-scale projects like the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) exemplify this intensity, necessitating 8,459 MW of power across 22 pump houses to operate lifts totaling over 2,000 meters in cumulative height, resulting in annual energy charges estimated at ₹10,374 crore by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Maintenance requirements further escalate operational burdens, involving routine inspections, repairs, and replacements for pumps, motors, pipelines, and reservoirs susceptible to , , and mechanical wear. For KLIP, annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs are projected at ₹272.7 , encompassing desilting, overhauls, and structural upkeep amid harsh environmental conditions. In , over 800 lift irrigation schemes require approximately ₹840 for essential repairs as of October 2025, highlighting systemic issues like delayed funding, leaking infrastructure, and clogged tunnels that compromise efficiency and longevity. These demands often lead to fiscal strain, as subsidies or elevated power tariffs become necessary to sustain operations, with assessments deeming such projects economically unviable due to costs exceeding irrigated benefits. Unsupervised maintenance can exacerbate risks, including over-irrigation-induced soil degradation and failures from neglect.

Economic and Scalability Issues

Lift irrigation schemes, particularly large-scale projects, entail substantial capital investments in pumping stations, reservoirs, and conveyance infrastructure, often leading to cost escalations that undermine economic viability. In the case of India's , initial estimates pegged costs at ₹38,500 , but expenditures ballooned to over ₹1.10 by 2022 due to design changes, contractor payments, and procedural lapses, as detailed in official audits. The and Auditor General () of assessed the project's benefit-cost ratio at 0.75—even using understated costs of ₹81,911 —indicating returns below investment thresholds and rendering it economically unviable under standard appraisal metrics. Operational economics are further strained by elevated demands, as against elevation gradients requires continuous pumping, contrasting with gravity-fed systems that incur minimal costs. Comparative analyses show lift irrigation's expenses can exceed those of surface methods by factors tied to lift and ; for instance, pumping adds specific head costs absent in flow, potentially doubling or tripling unit delivery expenses in high-lift scenarios. Maintenance burdens compound this, with pumps, motors, and silt-prone intakes demanding frequent repairs—NABARD studies on Indian lift schemes highlight organizational and financial hurdles in sustaining these assets post-construction. For , annual debt servicing and operations have approached ₹18,000 despite underutilization, illustrating how subsidized electricity masks true fiscal drag on state budgets. Scalability poses inherent challenges, as replicating systems across expansive regions amplifies capital and energy dependencies without proportional efficiency gains, often resulting in from sediment buildup, well failures, or grid unreliability. Empirical reviews of schemes reveal that while small-scale lifts achieve benefit-cost ratios above 1 in localized settings, mega-projects falter due to unscaled institutional capacities for oversight and funding, with physical limits like depletion curtailing expansion. Large lifts also risk environmental externalities, such as emissions from fossil-fuel backups, hindering broad replication in energy-constrained developing contexts where alternatives remain more feasible at scale.

Management and Governance

Government-Led Models

Government-led models of lift irrigation in typically involve centralized planning, funding, and execution by state irrigation or departments, enabling the mobilization of substantial public resources for large-scale infrastructure development. These models emphasize top-down , where government agencies handle , environmental clearances, land acquisition, and contractor oversight, often drawing on state budgets supplemented by central government loans or grants. For example, the in , with an estimated cost of Rs. 80,190 crores, was designed as a multi-stage system featuring seven links, pumping stations, reservoirs, and electro-mechanical components, all under the direct purview of the state's irrigation department. Operation involves government-managed pumping facilities, such as the major station at Ramadugu, which coordinates water lifting from the to irrigate over 18.25 acres across multiple districts. In , the water resources department exemplifies this approach by prioritizing the revival of over 615 dormant lift irrigation schemes as of October 2025, bundling them into three packages for systematic rehabilitation and modernization to restore irrigation potential covering thousands of hectares. These efforts include upgrading pumps, canals, and electrical systems, with funding allocated through state mechanisms and technical execution by departmental engineers, ensuring alignment with broader goals like enhanced cropping intensity. is centralized, often subsidized through government-provided at reduced tariffs, though this has led to high fiscal burdens estimated at billions in annual power costs for major schemes. Such models facilitate in resource-intensive projects but rely on bureaucratic processes for ongoing management, including monitoring via state-level committees and occasional to user groups only after initial government handover, as seen in some schemes where Water User Associations operate under departmental oversight. In , government-led initiatives have expanded pressurized systems across 2.5 million hectares by 2025, integrating solar components while retaining public control over design and funding to combat and boost productivity. This contrasts with smaller, fragmented efforts by requiring inter-agency coordination for feasibility studies and approvals from bodies like the , which cleared the project in June 2018.

Participatory and Private Alternatives

Participatory irrigation management (PIM) in lift irrigation schemes involves transferring operational responsibilities to farmer-led Water User Associations (WUAs) or community groups, aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability through local oversight. In , PIM reforms, such as those under the Farmers' Management of Systems of , have extended to lift irrigation by forming WUAs for schemes like river lift and systems, where regular meetings and farmer participation have improved water distribution and . For instance, in , community-led solar-powered lift irrigation systems, supported by the Jharkhand State Livelihoods Promotion Society, serve over 23,000 households by delivering water directly to fields and promoting collective ownership from project inception, reducing reliance on government subsidies. These models demonstrate higher member engagement in schemes like check dams and river lifts compared to traditional government-managed systems. Community-managed solar lift irrigation (CMSLI) represents a scalable participatory , shifting from individual pumps to village-level collectives that share costs and operations. Rolled out in states like and , CMSLI systems use to lift or , with communities handling maintenance and equitable distribution, leading to broader access for smallholders and reduced costs. Evidence from such initiatives indicates improved reliability during monsoons and dry seasons, though success depends on strong local governance to prevent overuse. Private sector alternatives emphasize public-private partnerships (PPPs) and outright to address government inefficiencies in lift irrigation operations. In , the government announced plans in August 2025 to privatize select lift schemes under the Hybrid Annuity Model (), providing private contractors with 40% of maintenance costs upfront in exchange for improved management and reduced fiscal burdens. PPP frameworks, as analyzed in reports, mitigate risks like cost overruns by involving entities in () for lift systems, including pumps and canals, while allocating performance-based payments. Companies like LCC Projects have executed contracts for lift irrigation infrastructure, focusing on hydraulic structures and integration to optimize water delivery. These approaches prioritize commercial viability, with involvement in equipment manufacturing ensuring higher pump efficiencies up to 90% in large-scale projects. However, models face challenges in rural areas due to land acquisition disputes and the need for government guarantees on water rights.

Controversies and Criticisms

Fiscal and Corruption Allegations

The in , initiated in 2016 and touted as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation scheme, has faced significant fiscal scrutiny due to substantial cost overruns. Originally conceptualized under the Pranahita-Chevella framework with an estimated cost of around ₹35,000 , the project was re-engineered and renamed, leading to expenditures exceeding ₹80,000 by its 2019 inauguration and projections surpassing ₹1.47 as of 2024, according to a and () audit that deemed it economically unviable with a benefit-cost ratio below sustainable thresholds. Critics, including experts cited in state audits, attribute the escalation to design changes that quadrupled costs while only modestly increasing irrigated area by about 50%, raising questions of inefficient amid the state's mounting burden. Corruption allegations intensified following a 2025 judicial commission led by retired Justice P.C. Ghose, which investigated claims of fund misappropriation, tender manipulations favoring select contractors over established firms like L&T, and construction defects, indicting former K. and recommending further probes. In response, the government under A. ordered a (CBI) inquiry on September 1, 2025, into irregularities including siphoning of public funds, while the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) initiated probes into irrigation officials' roles, culminating in the July 2025 arrest of former on graft charges related to project contracts. Similar fiscal concerns have arisen in other schemes, such as the Narayanpet-Kodangal Lift Irrigation project, where petitioners alleged manipulated tenders and violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act, though the dismissed a related litigation in October 2025 for lack of evidence. Earlier CAG reports on the Pranahita-Chevella precursor highlighted unrecovered mobilization advances of ₹354 paid to contractors as of 2013, underscoring persistent issues of accountability in government-led lift irrigation financing across states. These cases illustrate broader patterns of cost and oversight lapses in large-scale projects, often linked to political expediency over fiscal prudence.

Technical Failures and Environmental Impacts

Lift irrigation schemes have frequently encountered technical failures stemming from inadequate , substandard , and insufficient protocols. In Telangana's , operational since 2019, structural distress manifested prominently when piers of the Medigadda Barrage sank on October 21, 2023, attributed to defects in modeling studies, absence of robust , and operational lapses. Similar issues arose during excavation for pump house-II in the same project, where sudden upstream slope failures occurred due to geotechnical instabilities. In , as of October 2025, approximately 800 lift irrigation schemes required repairs estimated at ₹840 , highlighting widespread deterioration from deferred upkeep and initial construction flaws. Common technical vulnerabilities include system surges triggered by single-unit failures without adequate arrangements, leading to spikes and damage, as documented in Maharashtra's lift irrigation reviews. Sealing system breakdowns in large-scale s risk water leakage and station flooding, exacerbating downtime and repair costs. In Nepal's 15 assessed systems, structural deficiencies emerged as the dominant sustainability barrier, with only half fully functional, underscoring the need for rigorous adherence to avert cascading failures. Environmentally, lift irrigation intensifies riverine extraction, altering downstream hydrology and ecology; for instance, Kaleshwaram’s diversions have raised National Green Tribunal concerns over impacts on the Godavari River's flow regime and aquatic habitats. Project infrastructure, including reservoirs and pump stations, necessitates forest diversion—up to 258 hectares in Kaleshwaram Stage II—disrupting local biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems. Non-standard dam orientations in such schemes can induce waterlogging and artesian pressures, degrading soil quality in command areas. Construction phases generate solid wastes like excavated earth and metal scraps, contributing to localized pollution, while reliance on potentially contaminated source waters risks long-term soil and groundwater salinization or heavy metal accumulation. High energy demands for vertical lifting further amplify greenhouse gas emissions in non-renewable setups, compounding unsustainability amid climate-induced water variability.

Socioeconomic Impacts

Agricultural Productivity Outcomes

![Lift irrigation canal during sunrise, Kondepudi][float-right] Lift irrigation schemes have demonstrably expanded cultivable areas and intensified cropping patterns in regions lacking gravity-fed water sources, such as parts of and . By pumping water to elevated fields, these systems enable year-round , facilitating multiple cropping cycles and shifts toward higher-value or water-intensive crops like and . Empirical assessments indicate that successful implementations correlate with elevated gross agricultural output through both areal expansion and yield enhancements. In , , the (KLIP), operational since 2019, has significantly boosted rice cultivation in its command area, with winter-season rice acreage surging over 80% from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023 levels, alongside rises in overall cropping intensity. This expansion contributed to 's state-wide crop production reaching 202.76 metric tonnes and gross cropped area growing to 2.32 acres by recent years, attributing much of the surge to stabilized water supply reducing dependency. Community-led lift systems, as evaluated by the in rural , show farmers achieving higher cropping intensities—often exceeding 150%—and greater adoption of cash crops, yielding 20–50% increases in per- output values compared to rainfed baselines, though outcomes vary with maintenance efficacy. In Maharashtra's Singatalur Lift Irrigation Scheme, integrated with efficient distribution, maize yields reportedly doubled to 65–70 quintals per hectare. However, productivity gains are contingent on reliable supply and minimal conveyance losses, with suboptimal schemes yielding marginal improvements.

Long-Term Viability Debates

Debates on the long-term viability of lift irrigation schemes center on their capacity to deliver sustained agricultural benefits amid escalating operational challenges, with revealing mixed outcomes dependent on management, energy access, and . Proponents argue that lift systems enable reliable to elevated or fragmented lands where gravity-fed alternatives are infeasible, potentially enhancing and productivity over decades, as evidenced by select community-managed projects in that have maintained coverage and incomes for over 20 years through localized adaptations. However, critics highlight systemic vulnerabilities, including dependency on subsidized or , which masks true costs and discourages efficient use; in regions like semi-arid , abrupt subsidy reductions have led to scheme abandonment rates exceeding 30% in poorly governed setups. A primary contention involves and demands, where pumping vertically imposes continuous high costs—often 2-5 times those of —exacerbating fiscal strain as equipment depreciates without adequate revenue recovery. A 2024 assessment of 15 lift irrigation systems (LIS) in found only 6.7% fully sustainable, with 53.3% partially so, attributing failures to power expenses consuming up to 70% of operational budgets and insufficient user fees for repairs, resulting in and pump breakdowns within 5-10 years absent intervention. Similarly, evaluations of solar-powered community LIS in report median utilization below 20% of potential hours, due to initial overestimations of crop returns and neglect of long-term integration needs, underscoring how even renewable transitions falter without robust institutional . These patterns reflect causal realities: without cost-reflective , schemes devolve into subsidized white elephants, prioritizing short-term expansion over enduring functionality. Environmental sustainability further fuels skepticism, as lift irrigation can inadvertently promote over-extraction from rivers or aquifers if lapses, leading to downstream depletion or salinization in 10-20% of cases per regional audits, though targeted designs mitigate this better than flood irrigation. Advocates counter that viability improves via efficiency measures like variable-speed pumps or integration, potentially halving energy use while preserving yields, yet adoption lags due to upfront investments exceeding $5,000 per in developing contexts. Overall, evidence tilts toward conditional viability—strong in participatory models with diversified energy (e.g., solar-diesel)—but precarious in state-led ones prone to and underfunding, prompting calls for governance over unchecked scaling.

Recent Developments

Innovations in Technology

Advancements in pump efficiency have significantly improved lift irrigation systems, with modern centrifugal pumps incorporating improved materials and designs that enhance by up to 20-30% compared to older models. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) enable pumps to adjust speed based on demand, reducing electricity consumption and operational costs in high-lift applications. Solar-powered lift irrigation (SLI) systems represent a major shift toward integration, utilizing photovoltaic panels to drive or surface pumps for elevating water from rivers or reservoirs. In Nepal's mid-hills, SLI deployments since the early 2020s have lifted water up to 100 meters, irrigating terraced fields while cutting dependency and emissions. Community-managed SLI (CMSLI) models, scaled in by 2025, feature modular solar arrays powering pumps with capacities of 5-10 horsepower, enabling collective for 50-100 hectares per system and reducing costs by 60-80%. Automation via (IoT) sensors has enabled precision control in lift irrigation, with , , and pump performance monitored remotely to optimize water delivery and prevent over-pumping. -integrated systems, deployed in agricultural trials by 2023, achieve 30-40% reductions in energy use through predictive algorithms that adjust lift operations based on data. (GIS)-based upgrades further refine lift schemes by mapping for efficient routing and pump placement, as implemented in projects enhancing overall system yields. Micro-lift innovations, such as smart automation in low-head pumping (under 10 meters), distribute via automated valves and sensors, minimizing losses in undulating terrains and supporting smallholder farms with minimal . These systems, commercialized around 2025, integrate with outlets for targeted application, boosting uniformity.

Policy Shifts and New Initiatives (2023–2025)

In 2023, the Indian government under the National Water Mission introduced the Solar Powered Mobile Lift Irrigation Scheme (Mobil LIS), enabling portable pump stations powered by to irrigate remote or varying field locations, addressing inefficiencies in fixed . This initiative marked a shift toward decentralized, renewable-energy-based systems, with pilot deployments emphasizing adaptability to seasonal water needs in arid regions. By mid-2025, Andhra Pradesh announced plans to privatize over 900 lift irrigation schemes covering approximately 8.5 lakh acres, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and maintenance through private sector involvement amid criticisms of government mismanagement. Concurrently, the state allocated funds for repairing 800 aging lift irrigation schemes, estimating a requirement of ₹840 crore to restore functionality and prevent water wastage, reflecting a policy pivot from expansion to rehabilitation. In Telangana, the government prioritized time-bound completion of pending lift irrigation components within projects like Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi and Canal in October 2025, focusing on structural integrity and delivery timelines to mitigate delays from prior administrations. These efforts align with broader national emphases on integration, as seen in community-led schemes in and localized projects like Muradpur's lift system, which lifted water to elevated fields using renewable pumps to ensure year-round supply.

References

  1. [1]
    Lift Irrigation - ICID
    Lift irrigation uses external energy, like pumps, to move water from a source to a delivery chamber, then distributes it to fields.
  2. [2]
    Lift Irrigation - BrainKart
    Aug 25, 2016 · In lift irrigation water is lifted from a river or a canal to the bank to irrigate the land which are not commanded by gravity flow.
  3. [3]
    Types of Irrigation- Flow and Lift Irrigation Full Details - vin civilworld
    Jul 27, 2025 · On the other hand, lift irrigation uses pumps or other means to raise water from lower sources. It offers solutions in areas where gravity ...
  4. [4]
    [PDF] STUDY AND DESIGN OF LIFT CANAL IRRIGATION ... - IRJET
    Lift irrigation uses pumps to raise water to higher areas, allowing irrigation of specified areas, including elevated areas, and is effective during drought.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition<|separator|>
  5. [5]
    Assessing and enhancing the sustainability of lift irrigation systems
    Aug 29, 2024 · The inefficiency of water use in irrigation systems can result in adverse environmental, social, and economic consequences, heightening the ...
  6. [6]
    World's largest multi-stage water pumping stations get ABB's support ...
    Dec 31, 2023 · The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System, which is the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, is designed to end the water woes by ...
  7. [7]
    Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project - Sanskriti IAS
    Introduction: Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is India's largest and the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project. · Purpose : Water supply ...
  8. [8]
    World's biggest lift irrigation project is flowing in India - AP News
    Jun 21, 2019 · The Indian project comprises 20 reservoirs with canals running up to 1,530 kilometers (955 miles) and underground tunnels stretching to 200 ...
  9. [9]
    2. water lifting for irrigation
    The hydraulic power required to lift or pump water is a function of both the apparent vertical height lifted and the flow rate at which water is lifted. Water ...
  10. [10]
    Lift irrigation - Methods and practices: A manual by Mihir Maitra ...
    Feb 9, 2012 · This chapter provides an overview of lift irrigation systems, the data required for planning such a system, the procedure of collecting this data, and the ...
  11. [11]
    Flow Irrigation & Lift Irrigation.pptx - Slideshare
    DISADVANTAGES OF FLOW IRRIGATION ✓ Achieving uniform water distribution across the field can be challenging with.
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Design of Lift Irrigation System- Angar as A Case Study - IRJET
    It is the engineering of controlling and harnessing various natural sources of water, by the construction of the dams and reservoirs, canals and headworks and ...
  13. [13]
    [PDF] Hydraulic Transient: Lift Irrigation Scheme
    I. INTRODUCTION. Pumping mains in lift irrigation scheme are required for safe, reliable and economic conveyance. Variation in fluid velocity causes ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] "Design Criteria of Lift Irrigation Scheme" - IRJET
    Abstract: Irrigation is an essential part of farming. Maharashtra government try to develop best irrigation network for irrigation of all region.
  15. [15]
    [PDF] Execution and Maintenance of LIS
    After testing of all equipments commissioning of scheme is done. •. Electricity supply is taken to switch yard. •. Transformer is charged. •. Electricity supply ...
  16. [16]
    [PDF] IRRIGATION ENGINEERING - ResearchGate
    • Lift irrigation system: water needs to irrigated at higher elevations. ➢ Pumping from lower height (source) to required land. ➢ Pumps or other mechanical ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    [PDF] Chapter 8: Irrigation Pumping Plants
    lift and piston or reciprocating pumps. The centrifugal, turbine, and propeller pumps are the types commonly used for irrigation pumping. Centrifugal pumps ...
  18. [18]
    Irrigation Water Pumps | NDSU Agriculture
    Propeller pumps are used for low-lift, high-flow rate conditions. They come in two types, axial flow and mixed flow. The difference between the two is the type ...<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Irrigation Pump Types - the Basics - Hoover Pumping Systems
    Mar 21, 2024 · In this article we'll look at some of the pump types available for irrigation systems, as well as explaining which are best suited to particular water sources.
  20. [20]
    Evolution of Water Lifting Devices (Pumps) over the Centuries ...
    The Egyptian shaduf and the water wheel (or noria or sania) are probably among the earliest devices for lifting water to be used for irrigation and domestic ...
  21. [21]
    Ancient Egypt Water Engineering
    Since the crops needed water to grow, the ancient Egyptians also invented a system of canals that they dug to irrigate their crops. Besides, they built gates ...
  22. [22]
    The Early Waterlifting Devices: Dhenkli or Shaduf and the Araghatta ...
    Apr 30, 2018 · The Egyptian shaduf and the water wheel (or noria or sania) are probably among the earliest devices for lifting water to be used for irrigation and domestic ...
  23. [23]
    The History and Evolution of Irrigation Techniques - DIG Corp
    Around 3000 BCE, irrigation techniques began to flourish in ancient China and India. The Chinese developed intricate canal systems and used water wheels, known ...
  24. [24]
    Rehat- traditional water lifting device (India) - TheWaterChannel
    Mar 1, 2011 · This Persian wheel locally called the Rehat is a technology which may be more than 1300 years old. Bullock driven, it provides water for irrigation without the ...
  25. [25]
    'Chadas' - Ancient water lifting device. - TheWaterChannel
    Sep 16, 2011 · In pockets of Rajasthan state, India still remains one of the oldest forms of lifting water from wells for irrigation using animal draught power. This is ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  26. [26]
    Ancient water lifting devices from India - Harvesting Rainwater
    Feb 20, 2011 · This is called the Chadas and is from Rajasthan, India. These water lifting devices used animal power and could be operated only if the water table was not ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    [PDF] 11.Irrigation Infrastructure - MoSPI
    The total irrigation potential created has increased from 23 million hectares in the pre plan period to 123 million hectare by the end of tenth plan. (Table 11A ...
  28. [28]
    [PDF] 4th census of minor irrigation schemes report
    CHAPTERS. Sl. No. Particulars. Page No. 1. General Background. 1. 1.1. Introduction. 1. 1.2. Minor Irrigation Schemes. 3. 1.3. Minor Irrigation Statistics.
  29. [29]
    [PDF] Government of India International Commission on Irrigation ... - ICID
    In the First Five Year Plan (1951-56), the country embarked on a major irrigation pro- gramme. A number of multipurpose and major projects were taken up, such ...
  30. [30]
    From Public to Private Irrigation - Review of Agrarian Studies
    Jun 28, 2018 · Secondly, groundwater emerged as a major source of irrigation in India, with rapid expansion of irrigated area, after 1970. The area ...Missing: 1947 | Show results with:1947
  31. [31]
    Minor Irrigation Census
    The First Census of Minor Irrigation schemes was conducted with reference year 1986-87. The Second Census with reference year 1993-94 was conducted in all ...Missing: historical | Show results with:historical
  32. [32]
    [PDF] 6 census of minor irrigation schemes report - Ministry of Jal Shakti
    Ratio of irrigation potential utilized to potential created has also increased from 79.7% in. 5th MI census to 85.1% in 6thMI census. > A majority of MI schemes ...Missing: historical | Show results with:historical
  33. [33]
    Irrigation in India: Status, challenges and options - ResearchGate
    Mar 27, 2020 · The average annual per capita water availability has declined from 5000 cubic meter in year 1950 to 1545 cubic meter in year 2011 and estimated ...
  34. [34]
    Command Area Development Programme - India-WRIS
    During the post independence era, a large number of irrigation projects were constructed for increasing agricultural production in the country.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  35. [35]
    Minor Irrigation Census of India | Energy - Vikaspedia
    As per the report, 23.14 million minor irrigation (MI) schemes have been reported in the country, out of which 21.93 million (94.8%) are Ground Water (GW) and ...Missing: historical | Show results with:historical<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    None
    Below is a merged summary of the provided segments on Minor Irrigation Schemes based on the 6th MI Census (2017-18) and MI Volume-1 (2017-18). To retain all information in a dense and organized manner, I will use a combination of narrative text and tables in CSV format where applicable. The response consolidates data on total schemes, surface water schemes, lift irrigation/surface lift schemes, potential created (IPC) and utilized (IPU), ownership, state-wise distribution, growth trends, and prevalence, while also including useful URLs.
  37. [37]
    Ministry of Jal Shakti Releases the 6th Census Report On Minor ...
    Aug 28, 2023 · Leading States in GW schemes are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. In SW schemes Maharashtra, Karnataka, ...
  38. [38]
    4.8 Irrigation Statistics - MoSPI
    1 Irrigation statistics mainly relate to data on area irrigated by different sources and under different crops. The principal sources of irrigation statistics ...
  39. [39]
    Improving water management in the lift irrigation areas of the Central ...
    These lift irrigation schemes cover more than 50% of the irrigated land of Uzbekistan, 46% in Tajikistan and wide-spread in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
  40. [40]
    Water–energy nexus in Central Asia's lift irrigation schemes
    In China, the Guhai HPW project raises Yellow River water by 470 m in desert areas, irrigating a total area of approximately 1.11 million hectares (Jiang et al.
  41. [41]
    Across China: Multi-level irrigation system helps ensure production ...
    "After five times of lifting, 3,800 mu (about 253 hectares) of our rice fields are able to get water in time," Zhang said with relief. Affected by the recent ...
  42. [42]
    [PDF] IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE IN CHINA
    Since 2000, newly developed water saving irrigation works in China have covered an area of 13.93 million ha, saving nearly 35 billion m3 of water each year.Missing: lift | Show results with:lift
  43. [43]
    In Niger, drip-irrigation helps farmers battle climate induced water ...
    Oct 9, 2019 · Thanks to the Niger Irrigation Program (NIP) farmers in Niger now have access to solar-powered drip irrigation technology, enabling them to ...Missing: lift | Show results with:lift
  44. [44]
    Lift irrigation in West Africa: challenges for sustainable local ...
    Lift irrigation in West Africa: challenges for sustainable local management. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI).
  45. [45]
    The importance of solar lift irrigation studies in Nepal's mid-hills
    Oct 17, 2024 · Nepal's government is seeking to expand lift-irrigated areas from the currently recorded 2,119 hectares to 25,000 hectares over five years.Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  46. [46]
    [PDF] Accelerating Irrigation Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa
    As a result, at about US$10,000 per hectare, centrally planned large-scale irrigation projects turned out costlier to construct in Sub-Saharan Africa than ...
  47. [47]
    Reducing the energy intensity of lift irrigation schemes of Northern ...
    This study focuses on lift irrigation schemes that supply water from rivers located at lower elevations to agricultural land at higher elevations with a series ...Missing: comparison worldwide
  48. [48]
    [PDF] An Assessment of Community-Led Lift Irrigation Systems in ...
    irrigated, compared to 58 percent at the all-India level (SASH, 2021). The ... We control for family size in all regressions and for total operational land ...
  49. [49]
    [PDF] Kaleshwaram project
    Jun 14, 2018 · ntemplated to provide Irrigation facilities for an ayacut of 16,40,000 Acr s in 7 Districts in Telangana State. Further, it also planned to ...
  50. [50]
    What is Telangana's Kaleshwaram project? What is the controversy ...
    Aug 6, 2025 · The project was conceived at a cost of ₹71,000 crore initially. The cost escalated to close to over ₹1 lakh crore over a period of time.Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
  51. [51]
    Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project - Jayashankar Bhupalpally District
    The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is divided into 7 links and 28 packages spanning a distance of approximately 500 km (310 mi) through 13 districts and ...
  52. [52]
    Sinking of Medigadda piers forces Irrigation department to examine ...
    Oct 28, 2023 · The recent incident of sinking and drift of 6 out of 11 piers in the Block-7 of Medigadda (Laxmi) Barrage of the prestigious Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation ...
  53. [53]
    Sinking of Medigadda pillars due to changes in riverbed: Engineers
    Nov 8, 2023 · Sinking of Medigadda pillars due to changes in riverbed: Engineers. The barrage pillars will be repaired and brought back to the previous ...
  54. [54]
    Telangana Government Orders CBI Probe Into Kaleshwaram Project
    Sep 1, 2025 · Telangana Government Orders CBI Probe Into Kaleshwaram Project. Telangana Assembly descended into chaos as the state government and the ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  55. [55]
    Commission on Kaleshwaram Project leaves decision to take action ...
    Aug 31, 2025 · A commission led by a former Supreme Court judge found irregularities and alleged illegalities in the planning, construction, completion, ...
  56. [56]
    [PDF] palamuru-rangareddy lift irrigation scheme
    Palamuru -Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme envisaged to create irrigation potential in upland areas of Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar,. Vikarabad, Rangareddy and ...
  57. [57]
    BRS faults State govt.'s deadline for completion of Palamuru ...
    May 2, 2025 · The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has criticised the State government for fixing the December 2027 deadline to complete the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  58. [58]
    Two Telangana irrigation schemes yet to come into operation
    Aug 7, 2024 · Telangana's major lift irrigation projects, Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy, costing over ₹1.25 lakh crore, have failed to justify expenses, state reports ...
  59. [59]
    [PDF] SRI RAMARAJU VIDYASAGAR RAO DINDI LIFT IRRIGATION ...
    The project provides irrigation and drinking water to drought-prone areas, irrigating 3.61 lakh acres in 4 districts, and includes a main canal and multiple ...
  60. [60]
    Dindi lift irrigation proj oustees pin compensation hopes on ...
    Dec 25, 2023 · The project was supposed to be completed in two and a half years, at a cost of Rs 6,190 crore. However, due to delays in providing compensation ...
  61. [61]
    Dindi project named after R. Vidyasagar Rao - The Hindu
    Apr 14, 2018 · Dindi project is meant for supplying drinking water and to meet the needs of irrigation in the fluoride and drought affected areas. According ...
  62. [62]
    Officials take up trail run of Pattiseema project pumps
    Nov 2, 2024 · The project located at Pattiseema village of Polavaram mandal in Eluru district has 24 pumps with each pump having the capacity to lift 350 ...
  63. [63]
    AP Irrigation Projects by Nara Chandrababu Naidu - TDP - Tirupati
    The Pattiseema project was created throughout a 12-month period, from March 2015 to March 2016. In September 2015, the first pump was officially opened, ...<|separator|>
  64. [64]
    Govt. striving to bring State back on tracks after suffering five years of ...
    Jul 10, 2025 · Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu highlights the success of Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme in Krishna Delta under NDA government.
  65. [65]
    Panel flags unauthorised works by Andhra Pradesh government on ...
    Mar 15, 2025 · The RLIS is designed to lift and utilise 3 TMC of water per day from the Srisailam Reservoir on the Krishna river at a cost of Rs 6828 crore as ...
  66. [66]
    Expert appraisal committee relief for Telangana on Rayalaseema ...
    Mar 16, 2025 · Telangana maintains that the RLIS project is illegal as it diverts Krishna waters without the approval of the Krishna River Management Board or ...
  67. [67]
    Andhra govt ignores Telangana's objections, continues ...
    Sep 30, 2024 · HYDERABAD: The legal battle between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana continues over the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme proposed by the Andhra ...
  68. [68]
    Allocation of ₹571 crore for Chinna Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project
    Nov 23, 2024 · Government approves ₹571.57 crore for Chinna Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, aiming to irrigate 63 villages in Manthani.
  69. [69]
    Now, Chinna Kaleshwaram gets eco clearance
    Sep 13, 2019 · The project plans to lift 4.5 tmcft of water from Godavari river to fill 14 minor irrigation tanks in Mahadevpur, Katram, Mahamuttaram and Malhar Rao mandals ...
  70. [70]
    Panam High Level Canal Lift Irrigation Project - India Investment Grid
    Oct 22, 2024 · Sector. Water Resources ; Sub Sector. Irrigation ; State. Gujarat ; Project Start Date. 2021-03-15 ; Project Completion Date. 2024-01-31 ...
  71. [71]
    Panam Project Presentation | PDF - Slideshare
    The Panam project has the largest command area of 36,405 hectares served by 40 WUAs across 12,261 hectares. The document also includes maps and photographs ...
  72. [72]
    Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd - X
    Aug 14, 2025 · A new era in Gujarat's agricultural history begins with the Panam Lift Irrigation Project. Inaugurated by Deputy Speaker Shri Jethabhai Ahir ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  73. [73]
    Kalisindh Phase 2 Project - Meil
    Kalisindh Phase 2 goes beyond mere construction; it is about empowerment—Aiming to bring water to over 110,000 hectares, MEIL empower farmers, foster ...Missing: Rajasthan | Show results with:Rajasthan
  74. [74]
    [PDF] DETAILED PROJECT REPORT - environmental clearance
    The main objective of ISP (Narmada)-Kalisindh Link Project Phase-I is to provide irrigation facilities to the water-scare areas in upper reaches of Chambal ...
  75. [75]
    Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd - Facebook
    Rating 4.8 (313) Jan 4, 2025 · Discover one of India's largest irrigation projects, the Kalisindh Lift irrigation project, with massive 4.6-meter diameter pipelines aiming ...
  76. [76]
    Government Irrigation Projects | Netafim India Solutions
    Ramthal Lift Irrigation Scheme, Karnataka · 11,000 Ha of land brought under irrigation · 6700 farmers benefitted out of the project · 22 villages covered under the ...
  77. [77]
    [PDF] Ramthal Drip Irrigation Project, Ramthal, Karnataka
    of Karnataka launched Asia's largest drip irrigation programme under Stage II of Ramthal Lift Irrigation Project in 2017. This project is an example of.
  78. [78]
    [PDF] LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEMES –ADVANTAGES - IJATES
    Lift irrigation is costlier as compared to gravity irrigation. Upland areas can be irrigated using river flows down below without constructing large dams. Land ...Missing: coverage | Show results with:coverage
  79. [79]
    [PDF] Performance Study of Nagulapadu Lift Irrigation Scheme of ...
    a Lift Irrigation (LI) scheme namely ... It was observed that Nagulapadu LI scheme was in safe design and the water efficiency was about 90 per cent.
  80. [80]
    [PDF] Improving Water Use Efficiency in India's Agriculture - IIM Ahmedabad
    diversion/lift irrigation, including development of water distribution systems. • Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is to promote efficient water.
  81. [81]
    Mobil Lift Irrigation Scheme - National Water Mission
    Oct 25, 2024 · The Mobile L.I.S. consists of a 3 H.P. BLDC Pumpset powered by Polycrystalline Solar Panels mounted on the same platform of 4m x 3m size.
  82. [82]
    Upgrading Systems: Enhancing the efficiency of lift irrigation
    May 7, 2025 · Moreover, the Solar-powered Mobile Lift Irrigation Scheme under the National Water Mission aims to encourage water use efficiency initiatives.
  83. [83]
    New lift irrigation project to breathe life into Vijayapura's arid farmlands
    May 10, 2025 · Vijayapura: Nearly 24,000 acres of high-altitude farmland in Vijayapura will soon be irrigated. Ten villages, historically water-deprived, ...
  84. [84]
    World's biggest lift irrigation project is flowing in India
    Jun 21, 2019 · Some of the 19 pumping stations on the Godavari River lifted water to a height of 618 meters (2,020 feet) to irrigate about 4 million acres (1.6 ...
  85. [85]
    Lift Irrigation Scheme - Dharti Foundation
    The advantage of lift irrigation is the minimal land acquisition problem and low water losses.The lift irrigation scheme are instrumental in stabilizing ...
  86. [86]
    Lift: 'lift Irrigation To Up Power Consumption In T By 190% In 2022'
    Dec 31, 2021 · Power consumption by lift irrigation schemes (LIS) was 1,617 million units (MU) in 2020-21, which increased by 13% to 1,830 MU in 2021-2022.Missing: energy | Show results with:energy
  87. [87]
    'It's unviable, will bleed Telangana': CAG damns Kaleshwaram
    Feb 16, 2024 · CAG said power demand to lift water from 22 pump houses would be high. The lifts under the project require 8,459 MW of power, which works ...
  88. [88]
    CAG says Kaleshwaram project will require ₹10,374 crore towards ...
    Feb 15, 2024 · In addition, there would also be annual operation and maintenance cost of ₹272.7 crore. ... Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Corporation Limited. The ...
  89. [89]
    ₹840 cr. required to repair 800 LI schemes in State, says Rama Naidu
    Oct 13, 2025 · Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu announces ₹840 crore needed to repair 800 Lift Irrigation Schemes in Andhra Pradesh.
  90. [90]
    Neglect leaves Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme tunnels ...
    Jun 10, 2025 · Leaking passages and poor maintenance could destabilise local hydrology and endanger fragile ecosystems, warn experts.<|control11|><|separator|>
  91. [91]
    Damning CAG report says Kaleshwaram economically unviable
    Feb 15, 2024 · Damning CAG report says Kaleshwaram economically unviable; cost to exceed Rs 1.47 lakh crore. The cost of the Kaleshwaram Project, touted as the ...
  92. [92]
    PC Ghose Commission Report on Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities
    Sep 1, 2025 · Initially estimated at ₹38,500 crore, the cost escalated to over ₹1.10 lakh crore by 2022. The project involved lifting water from the Godavari ...
  93. [93]
    Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme economically unviable: CAG
    Feb 16, 2024 · The benefit-cost ratio of the project was inflated. Even with the understated project cost of Rs 81,911.01 crore, it is 0.75. Considering the ...Missing: overruns | Show results with:overruns
  94. [94]
    Comparative Financial Analysis of Irrigation Solutions - energypedia
    Jul 14, 2020 · Costs and financial implications of different irrigation solutions available at any given location around the world vary according to the specific system ...
  95. [95]
    No water from Kaleshwaram, but project costs Telangana Rs 18K cr
    Feb 9, 2024 · ... the Rs 1 lakh crore Kaleshwaram irrigation project, which raised loans worth Rs 87449.15 crore. The rest has to be repaid over next 12 years.Missing: overruns | Show results with:overruns
  96. [96]
    Top 5 Reasons Why Irrigation Might Not be Your Go to Adaptation ...
    Oct 12, 2023 · Large-scale irrigation projects often rely on fossil fuel-powered pumps, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.Missing: lift | Show results with:lift
  97. [97]
    [PDF] KALESHWARAM PROJECT – A GROWTH ENGINE FOR ...
    Kaleshwaram Projects is planned as a multi stage lift irrigation scheme with an investment of Rs.80,190 crores, having seven links and various civil and Electro ...
  98. [98]
  99. [99]
    Maloibari Electrical Lift Irrigation Scheme
    Aug 31, 2023 · Presently the scheme is managed by creating Water User Association (WUA) for each of the lift points. The WUAs participate with the Irrigation ...Missing: led | Show results with:led
  100. [100]
    High efficiency alumni irrigation projects boost productivity and halt ...
    Jun 16, 2025 · The irrigation projects have improved agricultural production fourfold across 290,000 hectares of land.<|separator|>
  101. [101]
    [DOC] AU83.docx
    Kaleshwaram Project was accepted by Advisory Committee of the then MoWR, RD & GR (now DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti) on 06.06.2018 for an estimated cost ...
  102. [102]
    Lift irrigation - Wikipedia
    Lift irrigation is a method of irrigation in which water is not transported by natural flow but is lifted with pumps or surge pools etc.List of lift irrigation schemes... · Lift Irrigation Scheme in... · Participatory Irrigation...Missing: engineering | Show results with:engineering
  103. [103]
    (PDF) Participatory Irrigation Management - A Case Study
    Considering the importance of farmers' participation in Irrigation management, Govt. of India introduced the Command Area Development programme and established ...
  104. [104]
    Publication: An Assessment of Community-Led Lift Irrigation ...
    This paper assesses these irrigation systems using data collected from 297 farmers in the command area of 50 randomly selected irrigation systems. The study ...Missing: schemes prevalence
  105. [105]
    Participatory water institutions and sustainable irrigation management
    Apr 22, 2022 · WUA meetings were held on a regular basis with higher member participation under Tube Well, Check Dam and River Lift Irrigation schemes.
  106. [106]
    Everything to know about the community-managed solar lift irrigation ...
    Jul 8, 2025 · CMSLI is a sustainable, community-managed, solar-powered system using surface water for irrigation, with collective ownership of the lift pump.
  107. [107]
    Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture with Community-Owned Solar ...
    May 6, 2025 · As a result, farmers are encouraged to use the lift irrigation system for less water-intensive crops like vegetables, pulses and oilseeds, ...Missing: efficiency | Show results with:efficiency<|separator|>
  108. [108]
    AP govt plans to privatise lift irrigation schemes for better management
    Aug 30, 2025 · The state govt will grant 40 per cent of the project maintenance cost to the private contractors under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) in advance ...
  109. [109]
    [PDF] Exploring Public–Private Partnership in the Irrigation and Drainage ...
    This study explores public-private partnerships in India's irrigation and drainage sector, aiming to decentralize management and encourage private investment.<|control11|><|separator|>
  110. [110]
    Irrigation - LCC Projects Limited
    We are specialized in the construction of various hydraulic structures which includes dams, canals, lift irrigation systems, micro-irrigation systems.<|separator|>
  111. [111]
    Irrigation in India - Pumps - ANDRITZ GROUP
    ANDRITZ manufactures 27 customized vertical volute pumps for three pumping stations, each with an efficiency of up to 90%.
  112. [112]
    KLIS: Re-engineering Quadrupled Project Cost, Says CAG
    Jan 11, 2024 · CAG probe shows cost escalated from Rs 38000 cr to Rs 1.5 L cr, while ayacut area increased only by 50 per cent.Missing: overruns | Show results with:overruns
  113. [113]
    Telangana government orders CBI probe into Kaleshwaram project ...
    Sep 1, 2025 · Telangana CM Revanth Reddy hands over Kaleshwaram project irregularities to CBI after Ghose Commission report, alleging corruption and ...
  114. [114]
    Telangana: KCR Indicted in Kaleswaram Project 'Irregularities'
    Aug 5, 2025 · Chandrasekhar Rao by a commission of inquiry into charges of corruption and irregularities in the construction of much-touted Kaleswaram ...
  115. [115]
    Telangana government orders CBI probe into Kaleshwaram project ...
    Sep 1, 2025 · ... Lift Irrigation Project, marred by defects, debt and alleged corruption, would now be handed over to the CBI for thorough investigation ... India.Missing: fiscal | Show results with:fiscal
  116. [116]
    Telangana Hands Over Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities Probe to ...
    Sep 2, 2025 · The Telangana government has ordered a CBI probe into alleged corruption, fund siphoning, and construction lapses in the Kaleshwaram ...Missing: fiscal | Show results with:fiscal
  117. [117]
    Ex-Chief Engineer Arrested In Telangana Irrigation Scam - NDTV
    Jul 15, 2025 · Ex-Chief Engineer Arrested In Telangana Irrigation Scam ... As part of the ongoing crackdown on corruption within the state's irrigation ...
  118. [118]
    Telangana high court dismisses petition seeking probe by ...
    Oct 15, 2025 · ... Corruption Act, 1988. He claimed the tendering process was manipulated to favour these companies over other competent bidders like L&T and ...Missing: fiscal | Show results with:fiscal
  119. [119]
    CAG report exposes irregularities in AP irrigation projects
    Jun 21, 2013 · In the case of the Pranahita-Chevella project alone, a sum of Rs 354 crore was paid as mobilisation advance, but has not been recovered so far, ...
  120. [120]
    Crisis at Kaleshwaram — why Telangana's massive irrigation project ...
    No. 20 of block 7 — of the Medigadda Barrage sank, which led to flooding. An NDSA team examined the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  121. [121]
    Analysis of Slope Failure: A Case Study from the Pump House Cut ...
    Nov 8, 2023 · During the excavation of pump house-II of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) Link-II, sudden slope failure happened on the upstream ...
  122. [122]
    Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Case Study - Millstream Engineering
    Oct 3, 2024 · Given the scale of the project, failure in the sealing system could lead to water leakage and potential flooding of the pump stations ...
  123. [123]
    Kaleshwaram project - Shankar IAS Parliament
    Kaleshwaram project · The NGT said that extraction of more water requires more storage capacity, and affects hydrology and riverine ecology of Godavari River.
  124. [124]
    [PDF] KALESHWARAM LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME - TG PCB
    Jul 24, 2018 · The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme involves filling 14 minor irrigation tanks near Kannepally village in Jayashankar Bhoopalpally district, ...
  125. [125]
    Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) - PMF IAS
    Issues in Kaleshwaram Lift Project​​ Environmental Issues: Unusual dam orientation parallel to the stream in Mallannasagar may lead to waterlogging and artesian ...
  126. [126]
    Potential impact and mitigation measures of pump irrigation projects ...
    Pollution: During construction there is a creation of various solid wastes, principally surplus earth and rock, metal scraps, plastics, cardboard, paper, wood, ...
  127. [127]
    [PDF] ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT OF LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME - Neliti
    4) LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL EFF​​ The long term effects of water pollution are elapse of extended period following used for irrigation is polluted, it will ...
  128. [128]
    Geospatial assessment of cropping pattern shifts and their impact on ...
    Oct 10, 2024 · The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) in Telangana has had a profound impact on agriculture in the region. By using water from the ...Missing: ecological | Show results with:ecological
  129. [129]
    Kaleshwaram project: The engine of Telangana's agricultural surge ...
    Jun 17, 2025 · Telangana's crop production soared to 202.76 lakh metric tonnes. The gross cropped area expanded to 2.32 crore acres, a 77.1% increase ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  130. [130]
    Singatalur Lift Irrigation Drip Scheme enables Maize farmers to get ...
    The ongoing phase 1 of the project plans to bring 10,080 hectares of agricultural land under drip irrigation connecting 13 villages and 7800 farmers in this ...
  131. [131]
    [PDF] sustainable development and use of water resources: sadguru's macro
    The study provides enough empirical evidences to suggest that the performance of lift irrigation schemes is remarkable in terms of irrigation, income and ...Missing: studies | Show results with:studies
  132. [132]
    Understanding Unsustainable Irrigation Practices in a Regionally ...
    The five steps of research design elucidating WEFE nexus issues in the CRB, India. 3.2. Data. The core analysis including the estimation of irrigation energy ...2.1. Cauvery River Basin · 2.2. Water Resources... · 4. Results
  133. [133]
    Solar or Diesel: A Comparison of Costs for Groundwater‐Fed ...
    Feb 6, 2021 · This paper compared economic performance of groundwater pumping for irrigation under two energy solutions: solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel fuel.Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
  134. [134]
    Agricultural Pumps: Innovations in Irrigation and Water Management
    Apr 15, 2025 · Recent advancements in centrifugal pump technology, including improvements in materials and design, have led to enhanced energy efficiency ...<|separator|>
  135. [135]
    Innovations In Water Pump Technology: Enhancing Efficiency And ...
    Innovations such as smart controls, variable frequency drives, and improved materials build on the foundational technologies of traditional pumps. Recent ...
  136. [136]
    Internet of Things-Based Automated Solutions Utilizing Machine ...
    The recent studies have demonstrated that smart irrigation systems utilizing IoT and machine learning technologies can reduce energy consumption by 30–40% ...
  137. [137]
    WaveMaxx Innovations: Smart Micro Lift Irrigation for Water Efficiency
    Oct 8, 2025 · Micro Lift Irrigation Systems provide the perfect solution by lifting and distributing water intelligently to farmlands using smart automation.
  138. [138]
    Top priority to complete pending irrigation projects with focus on ...
    Oct 7, 2025 · Accordingly, the government has prioritised Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi, Srisailam Left Bank Canal and Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla ...
  139. [139]
    Muradpur's Solar Lift Irrigation Brings Sustainable Water Solutions to ...
    Jun 9, 2025 · The project aims to ensure reliable water supply for irrigation by using solar energy to power pumps that lift water to higher elevation fields.