Medigadda to be operational by June 2027: Minister Uttam Uttam Kumar Reddy

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday announced a comprehensive roadmap for the rehabilitation of the damaged Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) barrages, setting September 2026 as the deadline for finalisation of rehabilitation designs and targeting the summer of 2027 for full restoration of the project, including the Medigadda Barrage.

Reviewing the ongoing investigations and rehabilitation planning works after a visit to Medigadda project site, the Minister said all major technical studies, including hydrological assessments, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys, geotechnical investigations and borehole studies, were progressing on a fast track. He stated that most preliminary investigations had already been completed, while the remaining studies would be concluded by the end of June or the first week of July.

Based on the findings, detailed rehabilitation designs would be prepared and submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for approval. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the rehabilitation designs would be finalised by September, enabling restoration works to commence after the monsoon, likely by October or November 2026.

The Minister expressed confidence that the barrages would be rehabilitated within a single working season and made fully operational by the summer of 2027. He reiterated that the government’s priority was to ensure accountability, safety and scientific restoration rather than politicising the issue.

Highlighting the background of the project, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the original Pranahita Chevella project, conceived at an estimated cost of Rs 38,000 crore, was substantially altered by the previous BRS government, leading to a sharp escalation in costs and serious technical deficiencies. He noted that the project cost had crossed Rs 1 lakh crore and, according to CAG estimates, could eventually touch Rs 1.45 lakh crore.

The Minister said reputed international consultant AFRY, in collaboration with IIT Bombay, had been engaged for rehabilitation design, while the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, was conducting model studies and technical assessments.

He added that all future repair and rehabilitation works would be undertaken only with the concurrence of the CWC and NDSA to ensure long term safety and functionality. Later, Uttam Kumar Reddy also inspected the ongoing Siddapur Reservoir works in Nizamabad district and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing key irrigation projects across North Telangana at the earliest.