HYDERABAD: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has said that every effort was being made to put the Medigadda barrage, the key structure of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), back into action from next year. The minister, who visited the barrage on Wednesday and reviewed the ongoing tests and studies at the site with engineers and officials, said the state government “is moving ahead with a clear technical roadmap for rehabilitating the damaged Kaleshwaram barrages on Godavari river with a June 2027 target to complete the works.”
He said the required investigations, hydrological studies, geological tests and geotechnical borehole studies and other technical assessments were being fast-tracked for early completion. “Most of the preliminary investigations have been completed and the remaining should be completed by the end of June or the first week of July. Based on these findings, detailed rehabilitation designs would be prepared and submitted to the Central Water Commission and the National Dam Safety Authority for approval,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress government was not interested in politicising the issue, though serious mistakes had marred the project in the past. “Our focus is on accountability, safety and completion. We want to ensure that the barrages are restored properly and safely,” he said.
Problems at Medigadda and its sister barrages at Sundilla and Annaram became known in October 2023 after a portion of Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage sank into the river bed.
The minister also said the designs, repairs and additional works will be taken up only after the plans are vetted by the Central Water Commission and the National Dam Safety Authority. “Our objectives are clear. The Congress government wants to complete investigations by July, finalise designs by the end of the monsoon period, begin rehabilitation by November-end or December, and complete the works by the summer of 2027,” he said.
He said a reputed international design consultant, AFRY, in joint venture with IIT Bombay, had been appointed for rehabilitation design. The Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, was carrying out model studies and technical investigations. Several national and international experts were also involved in the process.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Colonel Parikshit Mehra, who was appointed chairman of the Revival Coordination Team to guide and monitor the rehabilitation process, is an experienced officer with strong technical expertise, and is monitoring the progress of ongoing works.
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