Kaleshwaram Barrages Cannot Lift Water Now, NDSA Has Barred Operations: Uttam Kumar Reddy Slams BRS

Hyderabad: Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday strongly criticised the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leadership, alleging that the previous BRS government prioritised political gains over engineering standards in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. Addressing a media conference at the State Secretariat, the Minister said the Medigadda (Lakshmi Barrage), Annaram and Sundilla barrages are in a precarious condition and cannot be operated as the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has prohibited their operation until scientific rehabilitation is completed and safety is certified.

Uttam Kumar Reddy Rejects BRS Claims on Kannepalli Pump House

Addressing the media conference, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that BRS leaders were deliberately spreading misinformation by claiming that the Kannepalli Pump House at Medigadda (Lakshmi Barrage) could simply be switched on to lift water through the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.

Rejecting the claim, the Minister repeatedly stated that the pumps cannot be operated because the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has categorically prohibited the operation of all three barrages until scientific rehabilitation is completed and safety certification is obtained.

‘This Is Engineering and Public Safety, Not Politics’

The Minister accused the BRS leadership of misleading farmers and the public by portraying a highly complex engineering issue as a simple operational matter.

“This is not politics. This is engineering and public safety,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

He added that North Telangana would not have been facing irrigation uncertainty if the previous government had executed the project according to sound engineering principles.

“Had they constructed these barrages properly, the situation today would have been entirely different,” he said.

Minister Backs Original Pranahita-Chevella Project

Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the original Pranahita-Chevella Project, designed by the Congress government, would have provided a more sustainable solution.

According to the Minister:

“If the Pranahita-Chevella project had been implemented in its original form as conceived by the Congress government, North Telangana would have been assured of nearly 80 TMC of dependable water through gravity. It would have substantially cushioned the region even during weak monsoon years and possible El Niño conditions.”

He alleged that the project was later altered for “political and commercial considerations,” resulting in technical compromises.

“This is the result of greed, short-sightedness and ill-conceived decisions,” he remarked.

NDSA Report Flags Serious Technical Defects

Citing the final National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the foundations of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages remain under serious technical suspicion.

According to the Minister, the report identified:

• Compromised secant pile cut-off walls.
• Seepage beneath foundations.
• Piping beneath foundations.
• Inadequate stilling basins.
• Poor energy dissipation structures.
• Lack of water-tightness.
• Construction defects.
• Quality-control failures.

He further stated:

“Medigadda Block-7 suffered severe settlement after voids developed beneath the raft due to piping, while similar distress patterns have also been identified in Annaram and Sundilla. The issue is not one pier or one gate. The issue is the integrity of the entire foundation system.”

Rehabilitation Work Planned Till July-August 2027

The Minister warned that impounding water without rectifying the defects could have catastrophic consequences.

He said downstream habitations, including Bhadrachalam, could face serious risks if water is stored before rehabilitation is completed.

According to Uttam Kumar Reddy:

• Massive scientific investigations are underway to prepare the rehabilitation design.
• Testing is nearing completion.
• Design finalisation will continue during the current monsoon.
• Construction will begin immediately after floodwaters recede.
• The government aims to complete rehabilitation works by July-August 2027.
• Until then, the barrages will remain in free-flow condition.

Telangana Pursuing Alternative 80 TMC Gravity Project

The Minister also informed that the Telangana Government is pursuing a long-term alternative by bringing nearly 80 TMC of water from Tummidihatti through gravity.

He said:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been entrusted to RV Associates.
• The government is initiating dialogue with Maharashtra for the construction of a barrage at Tummidihatti.

Addressing a media conference at the State Secretariat in Hyderabad, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the previous BRS government compromised engineering standards in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. He said the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has prohibited the operation of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages until scientific rehabilitation and safety certification are completed. The Minister said rehabilitation works are targeted for completion by July-August 2027, while the Telangana Government is also pursuing an alternative plan to bring nearly 80 TMC of water from Tummidihatti through gravity.

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