"annaram"

Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana will prioritise drinking water over irrigation until June next year amid deficient rainfall. Farmers have been advised to avoid water-intensive crops, while the Kaleshwaram barrages will remain non-operational pending scientific clearance.

Nearly three years after structural distress at the Medigadda barrage, the Kaleshwaram project continues to dominate Telangana's political debate. Unlike similar infrastructure failures elsewhere in India, the focus has remained on political confrontation rather than repair, reconstruction and restoration.

Restoration of the Medigadda barrage under KLIS faces delays due to disputes over responsibility, pending geotechnical studies and cost escalation. Officials indicate repair work may not begin before next year, raising concerns over project delays and impact on farmers

Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy accused the Congress government of offering inadequate compensation for acquiring 580 acres of farmland in Annaram village for an industrial estate and warned he would launch a hunger fast unless justice was done to farmers.

The Telangana government has issued an EOI for the rehabilitation of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under KLIP, two years after the Medigadda piers sagged. Farmers remain sceptical, citing delays, crop losses, and water scarcity amid political concerns ahead of local body polls.

Former MP B Vinod Kumar urged the Telangana government to immediately repair the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram project, warning of harm to farmers. He dismissed CM Revanth Reddy’s claim on Tummidihatti water flow and demanded answers from Congress on cross-voting allegations

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project redefined Telangana’s agriculture by fully utilising its Godavari share, creating new ayacuts, stabilising existing projects, and boosting storage. Despite criticism and challenges, it remains central to the state’s irrigation security and KCR’s vision of a golden Telangana

BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar alleged that the Medigadda pillar collapse was sabotage and demanded an SIT probe. He questioned the NDSA’s role, accused Congress and BJP leaders of involvement, and linked the incident to a conspiracy against KCR’s legacy

BRS MLA T. Harish Rao submitted documents to the Justice Ghose Commission regarding KLIS barrages and accused the state government of withholding key files. He claimed full cooperation but questioned the transparency and intentions of the current administration during the inquiry process.

Criticises Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy for spreading false information about the project; defends KLIS' achievements with official data, calls for factual discourse, urges transparency over politically motivated allegations

Setting specific dates for their appearance, the Commission wanted the former Chief Minister to appear on June 5, while Harish Rao and Rajender were summoned on June 6 and June 9 respectively.

Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, intended to boost agriculture, pisciculture, and biodiversity, have been left non-functional under the pretext of structural issues

Even as the latest round of heavy rains continue to disrupt normal life in the State, the Medigadda Barrage, has demonstrated remarkable resilience, dispelling concerns about its structural integrity

The motors were last operated in July last year and about 9 TMC of water was pumped from the pump house.

Almost all Irrigation officials who were associated with the construction of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages, key components of the multi stage lift irrigation scheme are expected to make their depositions as part of the process.

“We are now confident of resuming pumping operations at Annaram and Sundilla barrages. We are waiting for the NDSA nod to go ahead with lifting of water from Godavari,”senior officials in the Irrigation Department said.

The commission probing the alleged lapses in the construction of the project will conduct public hearing soon

Last year, there was no shortfall for irrigable water since all major irrigation projects were brimming after adequate rainfall was recorded.

The NDSA which was given 100 days time for investigation into the structural issues in the barrages, is expected to give its report this month.

The physical and technical aspects of each barrage would be studied by two of the organisations identified.