Top Irrigation Officials Inspect Kaleshwaram Barrages, Pump Houses
Officials evaluate the current ground conditions and the feasibility of required safety tests before the monsoon season begins.
Hyderabad: Amidst the ongoing uncertainty of the fate of the Sundilla, Annaram, and Medigadda barrages of the Kaleshwaram project this year with time running out for conducting any tests as mandated by the National Dam Safety Authority, and near certainty that no repairs can be taken up the barrages before the onset of the monsoon when the flows in Godavari river will begin rising, a team of senior irrigation department officials, led by their engineer in chief (general) G Anil Kumar on Thursday inspected the barrages and their three associated pump houses.
It is learnt that the inspection visit was to see the ground level reality and assess the possibility of how the tests – geophysical and geotechnical – sought by the NDSA may be taken up soon. Officials said during the inspection, the pumphouses at Goliwada (Sundilla), Siripuram (Annaram), and Kannepalli (Medigadda) too were inspected and instructions were given on operation and maintenance-related issues. Since the pumphouses have not been in use for more than a year, maintenance is vital to ensure that they are in good working condition, an official said.
It is expected that the officials will report to the government on their findings, and chalk out a way forward plan in the next few days on conducting the required tests at the barrages.
