Uttam Seeks to Recruit Top Talent for CDO

Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday announced sweeping measures to modernise and strengthen the Central Design Organisation (CDO) of the irrigation department, calling for immediate recruitment of top engineering talent, acquisition of cutting-edge technology, and strict adherence to timelines for project designs.

The minister noted that in recent years, the CDO’s standing had suffered due to adverse comments from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the PC Ghose Judicial Commission on Kaleshwaram.

While not going into operational specifics, he said such remarks had made it imperative for the government to review the organisation’s functioning and initiate reforms. “We cannot allow the credibility of this institution to erode. This review is about identifying gaps and filling them swiftly,” he said.

Chairing a review meeting at Secretariat, Uttam Kumar Reddy underlined what he described as the “urgent need to strengthen and equip the design department with the latest facilities and software.”

He said the organisation, which has had a “chequered history,” was once the pride of the state and the country. “From designing the Nizam Sagar project nearly a 100 years ago to providing technical expertise for major schemes, the design department enjoyed a reputation for excellence. That standard must be restored,” he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy directed that all vacancies in the CDO be filled without delay, emphasising that “the most talented and qualified engineers from the irrigation department must be posted to the CDO at all levels.” He further suggested that engineers recently recruited from premier institutions like IITs and NITs be assigned to the organisation, bringing in fresh technical expertise and new approaches to design.

“Recruiting the best is not enough; we must place them where they can have the maximum impact. The CDO is one such place,” he said, pointing out that complex irrigation projects require precision engineering and innovation that only highly trained professionals can provide.

The minister ordered the procurement of the latest state-of-the-art design software, modern equipment, and advanced facilities “on a war footing” to ensure that the CDO delivers the best possible designs. He called for engaging domain experts, whether serving or retired, as consultants on a merit basis, adding that retired officers with proven expertise could be selectively appointed.

Highlighting the growing importance of electromechanical engineering in irrigation projects, he said consultants with deep domain knowledge in this area should be engaged after thorough due diligence. “This is a highly specialised area, and we need experts who can foresee operational challenges and design accordingly,” he explained.

Addressing the current practice of outsourcing electromechanical design work to agencies such as IIT Hyderabad, JNTU, and TS Genco, Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed that “proper methods and procedures must be followed” and that all such work must adhere to strict timelines. “When we outsource design work, the intention is to leverage the best available expertise. But, this must be accompanied by accountability and time-bound delivery,” he said.