BRS Ignored Experts, Damaged Barrages: Bhatti
Deputy CM Bhatti alleged the BRS ignored expert advice, leading to damage to Kaleshwaram barrages.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday alleged that damage to barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project within three years of construction was due to decisions taken by the previous BRS government without heeding expert advice.
Addressing the media after inspecting 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 had been wasted as the project was executed without adhering to technical recommendations. He accused the BRS of resorting to “Goebbels-style propaganda” to conceal its mistakes.
Bhatti said expert teams from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC), after inspecting the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages, had advised against storing water in them. He said the panels had warned that storing water could weaken the foundations and pose risks to structural safety. He added that the government had kept the barrage gates open in line with this advice.
He questioned why projects such as the Sripada Yellampalli Project and the Sriramsagar Project, built during previous Congress governments, had remained stable for decades, while the Kaleshwaram barrages on the same river developed problems within three years. He demanded an explanation from the BRS.
The Deputy Chief Minister said ₹146 crore had been released to expedite pending works under the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, including ₹58 crore for land acquisition, ₹74 crore for construction works, and ₹14 crore for maintenance.
He said all 10 pumps under the Devadula project would be operated continuously to provide irrigation and drinking water to 12 districts in the Godavari basin, adding that funds would not be a constraint. Bhatti said the government had prepared a roadmap to complete the Devadula and Sitarama irrigation projects on priority and ensure utilisation of Godavari waters for irrigation and drinking purposes.
