Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Monday that the scientific tests for repairing the three barrages of the Kaleshwaram project are nearing completion. Designs are currently being prepared for their revival. The Kaleshwaram project, a multi-purpose initiative on the Godavari river in Bhupalpally district, has been a major concern due to damage to its barrages.
The government has adopted a scientific approach to resume operations at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. Reddy held a meeting with MLAs and leaders from Nalgonda and other districts to discuss the project’s status. The damage to the barrages, built during the previous BRS regime, was a significant issue during the 2023 Assembly election.
Minister Reddy emphasized that the government will not use the three barrages until experts certify their safety. Leading technical institutions, including the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), have conducted tests on the soil, foundations, and concrete structures as part of the repair process.
The test results have been sent to IIT, Mumbai, where experts are creating comprehensive designs for the revival of the barrages. The state government will undertake the revival of the barrages according to the instructions of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), the Central Water Commission (CWC), and a technical supervisory committee appointed by the Centre.
The government’s cautious approach to the project’s revival aims to ensure the safety and stability of the barrages. With the final stages of scientific testing underway, the Kaleshwaram project is expected to resume operations once the necessary repairs and certifications are complete.
