Telangana govt sets timeline for Kaleshwaram barrages repairs
Telangana governmnet has marked the 2027 and 2028 working seasons as the critical window for finishing the repairs of Kaleshwaram barrages
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Telangana govt has marked 2027 and 2028 working seasons as the critical window for finishing the repairs of Kaleshwaram barrages
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has launched an urgent, "mission-mode" plan to repair and restart three major barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIS). Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Sunday that the government is determined to bring the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages back into full operation as quickly as possible.
Following a high-level review meeting, the Minister established a strict timeline, marking the 2027 and 2028 working seasons as the critical window for finishing the repairs. While the goal is to have Annaram and Sundilla fully restored by then, the government aims to have the heavily damaged Medigadda barrage at least partially working in the same period.
New Experts Take the Lead
To ensure the repairs are done correctly this time, the government has moved away from old plans and brought in fresh expertise:
Design Team: A joint venture between AFRY India and IIT Mumbai has been hired to create new engineering designs. They have been ordered to work 24/7 to meet the tight deadlines.
National Support: The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) from Pune will lead the technical testing. The Minister has asked them to make Kaleshwaram their "top priority," with experts staying on-site for 45 days of continuous testing.
Fixes for "Identical Problems"
The Minister noted that official investigations by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) revealed "serious defects" in how the foundations were designed and built. He emphasized that all three barrages suffer from similar structural issues, which is why a unified rehabilitation plan is necessary.
Strict Oversight and Daily Monitoring
To prevent any further delays, a new high-powered Steering Committee has been formed. Led by Col. Parikshit Mehra, the committee will:
Meet twice a week to review progress.
Have a dedicated officer monitor work on the ground every single day.
Coordinate directly with the Central Government for necessary approvals.
Agencies Put on Notice
The Minister also sent a clear message to the construction companies involved, including L&T. They have been directed to immediately reopen their worker camps and provide full support for sand removal and site testing.
"We need the designs as early as possible," Reddy stressed, adding that all tests must be documented and witnessed by multiple agencies to ensure total transparency and safety.
