Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said scientific restoration work on the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages was progressing steadily. The works are being carried out under the supervision of national technical institutions as part of the rehabilitation of the Kaleshwaram project.
Chairing a review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, Reddy said the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) were directly overseeing the entire rehabilitation effort.
CWC, CWPRS to guide full restoration
The Minister said Requests for Proposals had been invited from technically strong firms, with preference for those linked to IITs or central institutions. “We aim to restore these barrages with complete technical integrity. The damage caused by poor planning under the previous government must not go uncorrected,” he said.
Reports by the NDSA, Vigilance Department, and Judicial Commission identified design and construction lapses. The government will hold the original contractors financially accountable for testing and repair expenses.
Monsoon-season testing has concluded, and new geo-technical and hydraulic assessments will begin once floodwaters recede — expected in about 15 to 20 days. Of five shortlisted bidders, three will be selected to prepare designs using CWPRS data, subject to CWC approval before implementation.
Broader irrigation and legal review
Reddy also reviewed major irrigation projects such as Sammakka Sarakka, Sitarama Sagar, and Pranahita-Chevella. He instructed officials to expedite CWC clearances and secure a No Objection Certificate from Chhattisgarh for pending schemes.
He further examined ongoing legal issues, including Krishna Water Tribunal-II matters and environmental compliance, along with desiltation works at the Lower Maniar and Kadam dams.
Reddy reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “Every rupee spent on irrigation comes from public funds. We must ensure responsible utilisation and results,” he said.
I chaired a detailed review meeting today on the rehabilitation of the collapsed Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of Kaleshwaram Project – a tragic outcome of the reckless decisions and engineering failures under the previous BRS regime.
The Vigilance, NDSA and Judicial… pic.twitter.com/kH7QLPlnoz
— Uttam Kumar Reddy (@UttamINC) November 12, 2025
