"medigadda"

Irrigation officials firm on resuming the pumping operations under the project and keeping all the pump houses ready.

These bids were for the auction of 14 blocks. These sand blocks are located within Mahadevpur mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.

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, which was expected to submit its report by June 30, is in fact, halfway through its inquiry process.

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

The engineers and officials testified before the Commission have been asked to submit their version of the issues involved in the construction of the project in writing on or before June 25.

The project authorities are hopeful of lifting the gates open without causing any damage to the piers.

The Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), one of the three agencies whose services were drafted for this purpose, is yet to reach Medigadda barrage.

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.

In view of the urgency involved in the task assigned by the State government, the team reached Medigadda and started its investigation at the barrage.

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

The Chief Minister sought the details and recommendations suggested by the NDSA in its interim report submitted to the government.

Accordingly, steps are being taken by Irrigation officials to complete the works on priority latest by June 10. But the Irrigation Department is yet to finalise terms with the implementation agency, L&T.

Quoting reports received from the Irrigation Department, the Committee said 77 out of 85 radial gates in Medigadda Barrage have been successfully lifted.

Justice Ghose interacted with officials of the Irrigation Department right from the Irrigation Secretary to the Chief Engineer of the project for the initial briefing after a powerpoint presentation.

The complaints can be sent to the Commission by post or be dropped in the box arranged at "the Commission Office at D Block, 8 th floor, BRKR Bhavan, near Secretariat, Hyderabad- 500063".

Irrigation officials are under the impression that once the monsoon sets in, they would not have any scope for taking up even temporary repairs at least till the end of February 2025.

Justice Ghose is expected to visit the project and interact with the officials and official agencies involved in the implementation of the three barrages - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla ahead of finalising the probe schedule.

This exercise has to be completed in advance, taking adequate precautions. By raising the gates, water storage at an undesired level can be avoided, even in the event of heavy flooding.