The Telangana government should commit to restoring the three key barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla - at the earliest. The restoration works on the barrages would be fast-tracked under a time-bound programme to bring the project back to full operational status.
The Govt rightly directed officials to expedite the restoration works across all three barrages. Towards this end, the irrigation minister ordered the immediate formation of a Steering Committee, his appointing irrigation expert Colonel Parikshit Mehra as its convener is a welcome issue.
According to schedule the committee will meet twice a week to review progress, with the Minister participating in the meetings whenever necessary. His announcement of the appointment of a Special Officer to oversee the daily progress.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Irrigation) E Sridhar, Advisor Aditya Das Nath, Joint Secretary K Srinivas, and other technical experts, have attended the meeting and confirmed the agenda on hand.
The Irrigation Minister observed that statutory bodies such as the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Vigilance Commission have identified serious flaws in the foundation, design, planning, and execution of the barrages. The issues across Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla are similar in nature.
Setting critical milestones for completing the restoration works in 2027 and 2028, The minister timely expressed confidence that Annaram and Sundilla barrages would be completed within the stipulated timeline, along with partial completion of Medigadda which shows his commitment for completion of irrigation works on war footings.
The state government has appointed AFRY India as the design consultant to work in collaboration with IIT Mumbai. The Minister accordingly directed the team to complete the design work within a week and submit it to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for approval. He stressed the need for constant coordination with Convener Parikshit Mehra and prompt escalation of issues is the need of hour.
The Minister stated that comprehensive studies - including geophysical, geotechnical, soil, and hydraulic modelling analyses - would be carried out on a priority basis yet another welcome point.
The Minister instructed the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, to treat the project with the highest priority and ensure that its personnel remain stationed at the project sites during the 45-day testing period, denoting his Government's seriousness on the issue.
Advisor Adityanath Das has been tasked with coordinating with the Central Water Commission to secure necessary approvals. Directing swift action on the ground, the Minister asked implementing agencies, including L&T, to resume full-scale operations by reactivating camps, logistics, and support infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted work.
He also ordered that sand removal, geophysical testing (GPR), and site preparation be undertaken in close coordination among all agencies.
Emphasizing accountability, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed that all tests be jointly monitored by designers, CWPRS experts, departmental engineers, and agency representatives, with detailed documentation maintained at every stage.
Keep it up and continue your good work, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy garu.
