Hyderabad:The repairs to rehabilitate the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS) are expected to see largescale additions to the structure, along with measures to strengthen sections of the Godavari river bed on which the structure stands.

“The required works are expected to be complex. Some components constitute huge additions, such as building a new extended stilling basin on the downstream side to ensure that problems of the past do not recur. Then there is the proposal to extend all the 86 piers to the edge of the new stilling basin. Of course, the plans also include strengthening the river bed under the structure,” according to a source familiar with the ongoing design discussions between irrigation department engineers and experts from Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune.

The proposed repair and rehabilitation designs are expected to be discussed at a meeting to be held towards this weekend. “The designs are robust with measures to address every concern plaguing the barrages. Once completed, the barrages should stand strong. However, the final approval will be sought from the Central Water Commission to which the designs will be submitted for vetting,” an irrigation department official said.

Even as the design work is reported to be making good progress, officials faced the challenge of ‘clearing the ground’ at Medigadda, as well as at the Sundilla and Annaram barrages. “Thousands of tonnes of sand have accumulated at the barrages. At some places, the accumulation is three to five metres deep. All of this must be removed for the actual work to begin, and this alone will take several weeks,” an irrigation official said.

Then there was the question of what to do with the damaged Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage. “There are engineering solutions to strengthen the existing structure. But there is also some push to remove the block completely and rebuild it. If this option is approved, then just cutting through the structure, removing the debris and preparing the site itself will take several months. There is still uncertainty on the way forward as far as Block 7 is concerned, whether to repair it, build a new one, or build a blocking wall around it after strengthening the ground under the block and its adjacent blocks,” another source involved with the ongoing discussions on the repair plans said.

Though the government hopes that Medigadda’s repairs can be completed before the onset of the 2027 monsoon season, the sources said that this would take at least one year, if not more, and that too only if all preparatory requirements fall into place quickly.


Medigadda rehab plans

New extended ‘stilling basin’ to slow the flow speed of water when the gates are opened.

Two cut-off walls, a smaller one upstream and a deeper one downstream.

Extend raft on the upstream side.

Extending all 86 piers to the edge of the proposed stilling basin.

Ground strengthening by grouting.


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