Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla repairs to begin after monsoon, says Uttam

Telangana has accelerated scientific restoration of Kaleshwaram barrages. Advanced tests and studies are under way, with designs to be finalised before monsoon. Repairs will begin after rains, aiming to ensure long-term structural safety.

Hyderabad: Stating that Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages would be restored using scientific methods, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the plan was to complete the investigation tests by this month-end and take up permanent repairs after the monsoon.

Tests will be conducted in phases using ground-penetrating radar scans, drone surveys, borehole investigations, and geotechnical and geophysical analysis.

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These exercises will assess foundation strength, soil conditions and structural stability. The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) will carry out key studies before designs are finalised.

The government is working closely with National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and CWPRS, besides seeking inputs from experts at IIT Bombay for advanced testing, he said.

The Minister met NDSA Chairman Anil Kumar Jain in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the repair plan. Jain expressed satisfaction with the ongoing studies and said he would visit the barrage sites soon, the Minister stated.

The studies would examine the condition of foundations and cut-off walls. After the results were available, structural issues would be identified and fresh designs prepared. These designs would be submitted to the NDSA for review. Restoration works would begin based on its recommendations, the Minister said.

“The government plans to complete all tests and finalise designs within three to four months, ahead of the monsoon. Repair work is expected to start after the rainy season,” Uttam Kumar said, adding the goal is to ensure long-term safety of the barrages for the next 50 to 100 years.