NDSA investigation into Kaleshwaram project barrages loses momentum
Despite a year-long exercise, the final report is unlikely to be completed before the December 31 deadline set by the government
Hyderabad: The National Dam Safety Authority‘s (NDSA) investigation into the structural issues of the Medigadda barrage and the other two barrages constructed across the Godavari River as part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme has hit a roadblock. Despite a year-long exercise, the final report is unlikely to be completed before the December 31 deadline set by the government.
The delay in the investigation has serious implications for the upcoming Rabi season and even the Kharif 2025 in Telangana. Farmers, who have already lost two crop seasons due to lack of irrigation support, are growing increasingly impatient. The potential extension of time for completing the NDSA probe could jeopardise water availability for the next season, adding further to the farmer’s frustration.
The NDSA took on the task of investigating the structural issues at the insistence of the State government, aiming to hold the previous administration accountable. However, the State authorities reportedly violated the conditions set by the NDSA for taking the probe by undertaking immediate repairs without the concurrence of the national agency.
The repairs undertaken as directed by the State authorities reportedly resulted in loss data and the assessment of the status of the impacted structure became a tough task. This move has annoyed the NDSA and its team of experts, further complicating the investigation process.
The NDSA was reportedly upset with the repairs and rehabilitation works taken up on Medigadda barrage without its word of approval. Some of the technical studies taken up by the State government by engaging national agencies at the behest of the NDSA were also not completed in time.
The Congress government ignored the suggestions of the State irrigation authorities, who favoured continuing water lifting, if not at the designed capacity of two TMC a day, at least by minimising the drawls and putting all the pumphouses back into operation. However, their recommendations were not considered, with the government insisting that any rehabilitation works on the barrages should only be undertaken with the concurrence of the NDSA.
As expected, the NDSA is reportedly upset with the repairs and rehabilitation works taken up on the Medigadda barrage without its approval. This has further complicated the investigation process, as some of the technical studies initiated by the State government, by engaging national agencies at the behest of the NDSA, were not completed in time. The delays in the investigation and the procedural issues are expected to have a bearing on the upcoming Rabi season too.
The potential extension of the NDSA probe could jeopardise water availability for the next season adding further to the already mounting frustrations of farmers in the State. The ongoing delays and procedural issues in the NDSA investigation are causing concerns among the farming community.
The expert team that was constituted by the NDSA to carry out its investigation has reportedly communicated its displeasure to the NDSA chief over the State government’s response to its suggestions. It is insisting on immediate submission of the reports on studies that were available with the State Irrigation Department.
