Kaleshwaram – Committee of Experts Being Set Up to Oversee Repair Work

Hyderabad: The irrigation department is addressing one of its most significant challenges: rehabilitating the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS), along with the project’s other two barrages at Annaram and Sundilla. The department is learnt to be working on establishing an expert committee as recommended by Justice P.C. Ghose, who is leading the judicial probe into the project and alleged irregularities.

The judicial commission advised that an independent committee of experts be formed to oversee the repairs and other necessary works suggested by the National Dam Safety Authority in its interim report. This report recommended steps to stabilise the Medigadda barrage and address the leaks in the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, which, while also problematic, did not suffer as much damage as Medigadda.

Sources indicate that the irrigation department has been contacting various institutions with engineering and design expertise to participate in the committee, with an official announcement expected soon.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a team of experts from the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station conducted an onsite inspection at Medigadda to assess the conditions and damage to the barrage.