Godavari’s Flow Impacts Klis Repair Works: Uttam

Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said work on preparing designs for repairs at Sundilla, Annaram and Medigadda barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation scheme (KLIS) will begin once further tests are taken up following the receding of floodwaters in Godavari river. The minister said the government was following a systematic and scientific method to salvage the damaged Kaleshwaram project barrages.

“The government’s priority is to restore the barrages responsibly and to ensure the massive public expenditure incurred on the project by the BRS regime can be safeguarded and put to proper use,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said. The minister’s comments came at a high-level review at the Secretariat of irrigation projects, including Sammakka-Sarakka, Dindi and Singur.

The minister’s comments also come in the wake of the recent and unequivocal warnings by the irrigation department to the agencies that built the barrages—Navayuga (Sundilla), Afcons (Annaram) and L&T (Medigadda)—that the companies face the prospect of being blacklisted if they do not agree to take up the eventual repairs, and any rehabilitation works at the barrages at their cost.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said geo-physical tests and hydraulic investigations tests at the three barrages would be conducted by the Central Water and Power Research Station. These tests will help determine the extent of damage and guide design consultants in preparing rehabilitation plans.

He said reports of the Vigilance & Enforcement wing, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Judicial Commission pointed to systemic failures and irrational decisions as causes for one of the Medigadda barrage blocks sinking into the riverbed and the leakages in the Annaram and Sundilla.

“There were lapses at both engineering and political levels. Our government is taking corrective action through scientific methods to salvage the structures,” he said.

The minister also said the irrigation department’s Central Designs Organisation was also criticised by investigating agencies and that the government decided to engage independent consultants for repair designs, which will be vetted by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Infograph

Kaleshwaram barrages — It’s complicated

NDSA — Design defects, inadequate model studies, lapses in execution/operations

Judicial Commission — Pointed to financial irregularities, poor site investigations/designs/quality control, lack of planning

Vigilance Department — Recommended criminal action against certain officials and contractors for negligence and irregularities in construction

More tests — Geophysical/hydraulic tests needed at barrages, but have to wait for water to recede in Godavari

In-house problems — Irrigation department’s Central Designs Organisation under fire for poor designs of barrages