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The Telangana government has invited Expressions of Interest to repair structural issues in the KLIP barrages, including Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. While the process is open to all, Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy’s preference for involving a top IIT has sparked debate over fairness in bidding.

The Singur multipurpose project in Sangareddy district has recorded its highest-ever inflow of over 200 TMCft, surpassing a 27-year-old record. Despite the surge, only 17.741 TMCft was stored due to restrictions imposed by the National Dam Safety Authority.

The Medigadda barrage has successfully weathered its sixth consecutive flood season, handling massive inflows from the Godavari. Despite structural concerns in Block 7, the barrage continues to function, prompting the Telangana government to issue Expressions of Interest for rehabilitation designs.

Two years after the collapse of piers at Medigadda barrage, the Telangana government has initiated rehabilitation efforts by inviting EOIs for design proposals. The move, timed ahead of local body elections, follows damning findings by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), which recommended urgent structural fixes across KLIP barrages.

During an inspection of the Singur reservoir, GRMB Chairman B P Pandya directed irrigation officials to strictly implement NDSA guidelines to ensure dam safety. The team reviewed infrastructure including crest gates and the GENCO power plant, and discussed water storage and release patterns.

During a heated debate in the Telangana Legislative Council, BRS leader T Harish Rao rebutted the Congress government's allegations regarding the Kaleshwaram project. He criticised the government’s contradictory actions of calling the project a failure while simultaneously issuing tenders linked to it.

The Medigadda barrage, a key asset of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, has weathered yet another intense flood season in 2025, handling over 9 lakh cusecs of Godavari flow. While repairs to Block 7 remain pending since a 2023 pier subsidence incident, the barrage’s independent block design and reinforced foundations have ensured operational stability.

Despite urgent directives from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) in May to address the plunge pool’s structural threats before the monsoon, the progress is dismal. High water inflows and procedural delays are complicating repair efforts.

Repairs to Jurala’s crest gates have been halted due to rising inflows, with work postponed until late 2025. Reduced capacity, traffic pressure, equipment failure, and lack of specialised repair support have added to the operational challenges at the project.

An expert team completed an underwater survey of Srisailam Dam’s plunge pool, highlighting structural threats due to erosion. The operation documented damage and voids caused by spillway discharge. A final report on the findings is due by July 15.

The National Dam Safety Authority remained indifferent to warnings raised by Telangana’s engineering department about the worsening state of the dam’s plunge pool, says Prakash Rao

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

Approximately 75% of the water released from the barrage, after lifting all 85 crest gates as advised by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), came solely from the Pranahita River. The remaining inflows were supplied by the upper Godavari, which experienced a significantly higher water yield this year compared to the previous two years.

Despite multiple extensions, the NDSA has failed to accomplish the task assigned to it, further adding to the growing frustration of the farming community in Telangana over the lack of progress and transparency

The Irrigation department's top brass is deeply divided over the fate of the Medigadda barrage and the broader Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). While a significant majority, barring a few exceptions, supports putting two of the three barrages back into operation, some senior officials believe that the Medigadda barrage's issues are being overemphasized.

Despite a year-long exercise, the final report is unlikely to be completed before the December 31 deadline set by the government

Officials argue that initiating the rehabilitation process now could expedite the resumption of pumping operations, ensuring water supply to Kharif farmers at least by June 2025.

Officials have expressed concerns that there would be no water supply for Rabi crops under the project, except for pockets where reservoirs linked with KLIS are left with little surplus after supporting Kharif ayacut for another 45 days.

The three barrages- Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla have remained idle since they were emptied for inspection and rehabilitation in April and May, leaving the Rabi ayacut without irrigation support.

The final report from the NDSA is not anticipated before the end of the year, with the possibility of further delays.