BRS seeks fresh probe into Medigadda barrage damage

The BRS has sought a fresh technical investigation into the 2023 Medigadda barrage damage, questioning the case closure. RS Praveen Kumar also criticised the Congress government over drought management, irrigation, crop losses and action against power-sector officials.

Hyderabad: The BRS demanded a fresh and technically backed investigation into the allegations of an explosion at the Medigadda barrage, which led to damage to the seventh pier in 2023. The party questioned the closure of the case in 2025 without identifying those responsible and is planning to approach the State police seeking the appointment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a fresh investigation.

Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan, BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar said three years had passed since assistant engineer Ravikanth lodged a complaint at Mahadevpur police station about a loud explosion near Pier No. 20, but the investigation had made no progress. He said the complaint warranted an examination by a bomb squad and technical agencies. He stated that suspicions of conspiracy and an explosion were gaining strength considering the Congress government’s inaction.

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He also sought scrutiny of the call records of Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, BJP MP Bandi Sanjay and others. “Even three years after complaint of suspected explosion to damage the Medigadda barrage, the government failed to identify the culprits. The case should not have been closed as undetected. The BRS would write to the Director General of Police seeking a fresh probe,” he added.

The BRS leader accused the Congress government of neglecting farmers amid the El Nino-induced drought and failing to utilise available irrigation sources and infrastructure.

On the drought, he alleged that the government was allowing Godavari River water to flow downstream instead of lifting it through the Kannepalli pump house. He demanded a temporary coffer dam at Medigadda to enable water lifting and help prevent further distress to farmers, rather than relying on advice from government advisers and officers with connections to Andhra Pradesh.

Citing an alleged agricultural university estimate of Rs 20,000 crore in crop losses due to El Nino and inadequate government action, Praveen Kumar accused the administration of failing to prepare despite advance warnings. He said the BRS would continue its fight for farmers irrespective of the cases filed against its leaders.

The BRS leader also questioned the suspension of Yadadri thermal power plant chief engineer B Suresh Nayak and the appointment of five IAS officers to review technical issues. “How can the government expect the officers with sociology, history and public administration to handle with a technical issues like plant load factor and coal usage?” he asked.

He objected to police action against former Transco CMD Prabhakar Rao, asking why experienced power-sector engineers were being targeted.