Telangana’s Jurala dam safety at risk as NDSA warnings ignored, repairs lag amid monsoon threat

The Priyadarshini Jurala Project on the Krishna river faces serious structural issues, including leaking gates, erosion, and overloaded traffic. Despite repeated NDSA warnings, a proposed bridge remains unbuilt, leaving the irrigation lifeline of southern Telangana vulnerable during flood season

Hyderabad: The Priyadarshini Jurala Project, a key irrigation and hydropower facility on the Krishna river, is facing mounting structural and operational challenges.

Many of the issues it has been facing stem from neglect and ignored safety alerts from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).

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One of the most critical concerns flagged by the NDSA is the continued use of the dam structure as a roadway. Despite warnings that heavy vehicular movement could undermine the dam’s integrity, traffic, including sand tippers, lorries, and RTC buses, continues to ply across it.

A proposal to construct a bridge downstream at a cost of Rs 120 crore has made no progress, leaving the dam exposed. Erosion and potholes along the left bank road, worsened by stagnant rainwater, have further weakened the embankment.

Adding to the crisis, at least 12 out of the 62 crest gates are now leaking. Malfunctioning ropeway systems, worn-out rubber seals, and rusted components have made the situation worse.

The ropes of crest gates 9 and 12 recently failed, prompting emergency repairs. However, the project has only one gantry crane available for maintenance, and its operation is hampered by frequent overheating. The lack of a second crane, proposed long ago, has left the system vulnerable to failure during floods.

Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy visited the site and held a review meeting on Saturday. He was apprised of the status of repair work, which picked up pace recently.

While some officials maintain that the core dam structure, as it is, can withstand up to 10 lakh cusecs of floodwater, public confidence remains shaken. It is the sole source of irrigation for over one lakh acres in the water-starved pockets of southern Telangana.