Govt. to permit Kaleshwaram barrages’ operation only after experts’ nod: Uttam

HYDERABAD

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that various proposed tests on structural, technical, geological and geophysical aspects of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Dams in the Kaleshwaram project as part of their rehabilitation after the damage suffered are nearing completion and the focus is on rehabilitation designs.

He said the designs had been drawn up to enable the safe restoration of the three dams and that the government would not allow the dams to operate until experts confirmed they were safe.

“Extensive research covering soil, foundation, concrete and other structural components has been carried out through leading national institutions, including the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and others,” the minister said. He added that the testing process has almost been completed and the findings have been forwarded to IIT Bombay and its technical partners for preparation of detailed repair and rehabilitation designs.

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said designs have been prepared to ensure safe restoration of the three dams. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

The designs were expected to be made in the next few months, after which the State government would start the rehabilitation work by obtaining all necessary technical approvals. Preliminary evaluations have shown that the construction of diaphragm walls across dams could form part of the rehabilitation strategy. He said the Union Government has already constituted a Technical Oversight Committee to examine rehabilitation proposals before starting repair work. The restoration will strictly comply with the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), Central Water Commission (CWC) and oversight committee.

The minister said that the government has also deployed experienced engineers with Indian Army background to strengthen technical coordination during the rehabilitation process. A coordination committee headed by Colonel Parikshit Mehra was overseeing the testing and planning work to ensure transparency and engineering integrity.