Neglect of structural damage puts Manjeera dam at risk despite multiple warnings

Despite repeated warnings from the SDSO about structural damage to Manjeera dam, the Telangana government has failed to act. Cracks, leakages and neglected maintenance now threaten the ageing dam, once a vital drinking water source and wildlife sanctuary

Sangareddy: Despite repeated warnings from dam safety experts and clear signs of structural damage, the State government has failed to act on urgent repair recommendations for the Manjeera dam in Sangareddy, placing both the ageing irrigation structure and its surrounding ecosystem at serious risk.

The dam, built nearly 47 years ago across the Manjeera river, was inspected by the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) on March 22. The team submitted a detailed report to the Irrigation Department, flagging multiple safety issues. However, no remedial action has been taken so far, official sources confirmed.

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According to the SDSO report, the downstream apron has suffered significant damage, and the plunge pool is also compromised. The inspection team warned that if the dam receives heavy inflows from upstream, the remaining portion of the damaged apron could be swept away, potentially endangering the entire structure.

Minor damages to the spillway and gates have led to continuous water leakage. Cracks have developed across various sections, including the piers. Compounding the issue is the unchecked growth of large trees on the earthen dam section, where cleaning operations have been stopped. These trees, experts say, threaten the structural integrity of the dam.

The SDSO recommended a set of urgent maintenance and safety measures. Yet, months after the report was filed, the government has neither acknowledged the findings publicly nor initiated any repair work.

The Manjeera project, with a storage capacity of 1.5 TMCft, was once a key drinking water source for Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Sangareddy and parts of Medak district. The site also has ecological significance, being declared a wildlife sanctuary home to nearly 300 bird species and over 700 mugger crocodiles. Once a vital breeding centre, it is currently under consideration as Telangana’s first Ramsar wetland site.

Experts who visited the site multiple times in 2024 have called for immediate intervention. However, the government’s continued inaction, officials say, threatens to turn a manageable situation into a potential disaster.