‘Ignoring experts proved costly in Kaleshwaram’

“If it had been constructed as per engineers’ advice, it wouldn’t have collapsed today.”

Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Telangana Deputy Chief Minister 

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka strongly criticised the previous BRS government, stating that the collapse of Kaleshwaram barrages within just three years was due to decisions taken without consulting experts and engineers. He alleged that the previous government looted public money in the name of irrigation projects and wasted it.

Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, visited the J. Chokka Rao Devadula project in Mulugu district on Monday. They reviewed the current water storage capacity and Godavari inflows with irrigation officials and conducted a high-level review meeting. Speaking to the media on the occasion,  Bhatti Vikramarka criticised leaders of the previous BRS government for ignoring engineers and making unilateral decisions.

He recalled how former leaders claimed they alone built Kaleshwaram with their intelligence, sidelining engineers. “If it had been constructed as per engineers’ advice, it wouldn’t have collapsed today,” he remarked. Bhatti Vikramarka accused BRS leaders of misleading the public even after committing serious mistakes.

Responding to opposition criticism regarding the failure of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, Bhatti Vikramarka questioned why barrages were built if water could be lifted directly from flowing rivers. He said poor construction during the BRS regime caused the sinking of Medigadda pillars.

He noted that experts from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and Central Water Commission (CWC) inspected the barrages and warned that storing water could lead to their collapse, advising that gates be kept open. Despite this, BRS leaders continue to spread misinformation, he said, calling it “Goebbels-style propaganda. However, storing such water requires closing the gates, which experts warn could damage the foundations and lead to complete failure. Therefore, until full repairs are completed, the gates will remain open to allow floodwater to pass safely, he said.

Considering drought conditions due to El Niño, the government aims to fill 22 reservoirs under the Devadula Project. To expedite pending works, Rs 146 crore has been released for the land acquisition (₹58 crore), pending works (Rs 74 crore) and maintenance (Rs 14 crore), he said.

Bhatti Vikramarka assured that under the Devadula Project, 10 pumps will be operated continuously to provide irrigation and drinking water to about 12 districts in the Godavari basin.

He stated that the government is ready to allocate any required funds to complete the Devadula Project. Additionally, Devadula and Sitarama projects will be completed on a war footing to supply water to erstwhile Warangal and Khammam districts, Bhatti Vikramarka said.