Kaleshwaram repairs fast-tracked

1. Uttam Kumar Reddy wants fast tracking tests and repairs
2. Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla to be made fully operational at the earliest
3. Steering Committee formed to spearhead rehabilitation of programme

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday asserted that the Telangana government is committed to restoring all three key barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project — Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla — at the earliest. He directed officials to fast-track rehabilitation works under a time-bound programme to bring the project back to full operational capacity.

He conducted a high-level review on the rehabilitation of KLIS barrages at the Secretariat on Sunday, attended by senior department officials, representatives of the CWPRS, design consultants, and executing agencies, including L&T.

The Minister said statutory agencies, including the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Vigilance Commission, have flagged serious flaws in the foundations, design, planning and execution of all three barrages, noting that the core issues are common across the structures.

He directed officials to treat the next two working seasons (2027 and 2028) as critical for completing the repairs. He expressed confidence that works at Annaram and Sundilla would be finished within the timeline, while Medigadda could be made at least partially operational in parallel.

AFRY India and IIT Mumbai tasked with fresh designs

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,” he stressed, because the designs will have to be sent to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for approval immediately after submission.

He 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 on top priority.

CWPRS given highest 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 approvals needed from the Government of India. CWPRS personnel must be stationed at the sites continuously until the 45-day testing window is completed.

Daily monitoring and steering committee formed

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.

Agencies asked to reactivate camps and extend full support

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.

Irrigation Secretary, E .Sridhar,  Tunnel expert and secretary, Col. Parikshit Mehra, Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das,  (ENC General) Rameshbabu, Joint Secretary, K. Srinivas, Enc (Admin), T Srinivas and CWPRS Additional Director, Selva Balan, were among the officials who took part in the deliberations.