CM Revanth orders probe into Medigadda barrage’s sinking piers; seeks info about irrigation projects

Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has ordered an inquiry into the sinking of the piers of the Medigadda barrage.

CM Revant has asked officials to provide full information about irrigation projects taken up by for Bharat Rashtra Samithi government in the state.

The reason for the probe is the sinking piers of Medigadda Barrage and the total debt of the irrigation projects in the state.

Why is Medigadda a point of concern?

Medigadda barrage also called the Laxmi barrage was undertaken by L&T Construction. It was completed within a record 24 months.

In a detailed note on the company website, L&T states that the project was executed in a fast-track mode. L&T claimed that there were 16,722 cubic meters of concrete poured in a day, 25,584 cubic meters in 72 hours, and 1,94081 cubic meters in a month.

During the inauguration, the company in 2019 claimed that the achievements of this project are unparalleled in the Indian construction industry.

Sinking barrage raises concern

Claims of the company have fallen flat as the Congress government in Telangana has ordered an inquiry into the sinking of the piers in Medigadda barrage. On October 21, 2023 pillar numbers 15 to 20 sunk leading to the road connecting to Maharasthra to sink in. The sinking of the barrage led the dam authorities to release water.

Blame game between bureaucrats

National Dam Safety Authority constituted a six-member team to carry outand an inquiry and in its report stated that the planning, design, quality control, and maintenance are the reasons for the sinking of piers.

The irrigation officials of Telangana hit back stating that the central authority has concluded without taking into account all the evidence submitted by the government.

The blame game was during the model code of conduct and led to a major political war of words.

Congress government

The new government in Telangana wants the issue of the Medigadda barrage to be resolved and wants irrigation officials to come clean with the aspects of the project. A senior government official said, “The construction company is L&T Construction and the government will go back to them for repairs.”

There are rumors that the company does not want to take it up. But they are bound by clauses, explained officials. The irrigation department is a bone of contention for the new government as the projects have drained the resources of the state. With the repair works in not less than five years of construction, questions are being raised about viability and long-term benefits.