Telangana Races to Revive Kaleshwaram Barrages, Sets 2028 Deadline

Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday made it clear that the state government is determined to bring Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla back into operation.

He wanted the rehabilitation works to be fast-tracked to restore the project to full operational status under a time-bound programme.

The minister held a high- level review on the rehabilitation of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) barrages with key officials of the Department, representatives of the CWPRS, agencies tasked with rehabilitation designs and implementation agencies, including L&T.

The minister said that statutory agencies, including the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Vigilance Commission, have already flagged serious defects in the foundations, design, planning and execution of all three barrages. He added that the fundamental problems are identical across the three structures.

He directed officials that the next two working seasons (2027 and 2028) should be treated as crucial in the process of completing the KLIS repairs.

He expressed hope that Annaram and Sundilla could be fully completed well within the timeline set for the purpose, while Medigadda can be made at least partially operational simultaneously.

The government has already finalised a design consultant, AFRY India, to work in a joint venture with IIT Mumbai. The minister instructed the design team to work round-the-clock, all seven days a week.

"We need the design as early as possible because the designs will have to be sent to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for approval immediately after submission," he said.

The minister asked the consultants to stay in constant touch with Secretary Parikshit Mehra and bring directly to his notice in case of any issues.

The design process will be backed by comprehensive geophysical, geotechnical, soil, hydraulic modelling and other studies. The minister directed that all required tests and data must be completed as a top priority.

The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune - a Government of India organisation tasked with the tests and studies, has been asked to treat the Kaleshwaram barrage rehabilitation as its topmost priority.

He asked the government advisor, Adityanath Das, to coordinate with the CWC to get the approvals needed from the Government of India. CWPRS personnel must be stationed at the sites continuously until the 45-day testing window is completed.

The minister announced the constitution of a high-powered Steering Committee with immediate effect, with Col Parikshit Mehra as the convenor to spearhead the implementation of rehabilitation works.

The committee will meet twice a week, with the minister joining, if needed, even virtually whenever required to review the progress. A dedicated officer will monitor progress daily.

The executing agencies, including the L&T, have been directed to immediately reactivate their existing camps, mess facilities and logistics so that engineers, technicians and rig operators face no accommodation or food issues. Sand removal, GPR (geophysical) tests and site preparation will be carried out with full agency support.

The minister emphasised that all tests must be jointly witnessed by the designer, CWPRS, department engineers and agency representatives, and everything must be properly documented.

- IANS