BRS Ignored Experts, Damaged Barrages: Bhatti

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday alleged that the damage to the dams under the Kaleshwaram Ropeway Irrigation Project within three years of construction was due to decisions taken by the previous BRS government without taking into account expert advice.

Addressing the media after reviewing the J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme along with irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, he said public funds were being wasted as the project was executed without following technical recommendations. He accused the BRS of resorting to “Goebbels-style propaganda” to hide its mistakes.

Bhatti said expert teams from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) had inspected the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla dams and advised against storing water there. He said the panels warn that storing water could weaken foundations and pose a risk to structural safety. He added that the government is keeping the dam gates open in line with this recommendation.

He questioned why projects like Sripada Yellampalli Project and Sriramsagar Project, built during the previous Congress governments, remained stable for decades, while Kaleshwaram dams on the same river started experiencing problems within three years. He demanded an explanation from BRS.

The Deputy Chief Minister said ₹ 146 crore, including ₹ 58 crore for land acquisition, ₹ 74 crore for civil works and ₹ 14 crore for maintenance, has been released to expedite pending works under the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme.

He added that all 10 pumps under the Devadula project will be operated continuously to provide irrigation and drinking water to 12 districts in the Godavari basin and funds will not be a constraint. Bhatti said the government has prepared a road map to complete the Devadula and Sitarama irrigation projects on priority and ensure the use of Godavari waters for irrigation and drinking purposes.