Kanuru Lakshmana Rao (15 July 1902 – 18 May 1986) was an Indian Civil engineer and a Padma Bhushan awardee[4] who served as the Union Minister of Irrigation & Power and Member of Parliament for Vijayawada from 1962 to 1977.

Rao was born in a Telugu Niyogi brahmin family in Kankipadu, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.

He lost vision in one eye due to injury during childhood days while playing at school.

In 1963, Rao was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the spheres of irrigation and power.

On 20 July 1963, Rao was sworn in as a minister for Irrigation and Electricity in the union government.

Under his regime as union minister for water resources, Rao designed many irrigation and hydro-electric projects.