KLIS 'Barrages' Were Actually Dams: Report

One of the more contentious issues in the debate following the damage to the barrages was about storing of water. Barrages, by their very design, are not meant to be used as dams and creating reservoirs on the river. All the inquiries following the problems at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages coming to light in 2023, including the ones from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), have pointed out that the three structures were used as dams, something they were simply not designed to be.

The report said: “It has categorically been held by this commission that the three barrages are constructed as reservoirs/dams under the guise and in the name of barrages, having regard to the parameters of the structures, having regard to the purpose for which they are proposed and also having regard to the fact that they are indeed utilized as storage structures.” 

The report said that during its inquiry, authorities agreed before the commission that the three barrages were used “as reservoirs to store water for the purpose of lifting water…”

Even as the chief engineer of the Kaleshwaram project “mentioned in his letter dated 28.6.2017 that there is a possibility of storage of water up to +130 metres in future,” the report said, the Central Designs Organisation (CDO, of the irrigation department vested with the responsibility of designs) “is very much aware and clearly conscious of the fact that the structures (were) going to be constructed in the name of barrages are in fact reservoirs/dams for the purpose of storage of water but failed to design them as reservoirs/dams.”

Declaring that this is a basic and fundamental defect in the designing of these three barrages, and the major cause for distress of these barrages, the report also pointed out how the CDO also appeared “to have intentionally ignored and not taken into consideration” concerns raised by the Medigadda barrage contractor L&T company that it suggested in light of the concerns over the purpose of the barrage.

The report said that in an email on 9.8.2016, L&T said “... In view of these points, it is recommended by Central Water Commission (CWC) either carry out the risk analysis or adopt 1:1000 year return period flood. Further, as discussed in the chief engineer (CDO) office regarding layout drawings of both the options as barrage and dam are attached for your review and decision. A small note on design flood value w.r.to 1:1OOO return period and spillway capacity is also attached," indicating that there was an intentional decision to use the ‘barrages’ as dams, which contributed to the problems at the barrages.

Dam it

What the Justice P.C. Ghose commission said on the KLIS barrages being found as dams

Authorities agreed that the three barrages were used “as reservoirs to store water for the purpose of lifting water…”

KLIS chief engineer in a letter on 28.6.2017 said there was a possibility of storage of water up to +130 metres

The Central Designs Organisation or the irrigation department was aware of that the structures were reservoirs/dams but failed to design them in that manner.

Designing them as barrages and using them as dams was the major cause for distress of the barrages.