Hyderabad: Irregularities in disposing of the sand excavated during the construction of the three barrages under the controversial Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Scheme will continue to expose thousands of acres and human settlements to the danger of submersion.
In gross violation of norms, contractors were said to have dumped the sand within the river at a short distance from the dam site, though rules mandated them moving the excavated sand out of the river and dumping it on the ground.
According to a report of the Central Water Commission, an unprecedented submersion of agricultural lands and residential areas in the combined Warangal and Karimnagar districts in 2022 floods was due to the increased bed level of river and reverse flow of flood water into canals and drains.
“The foundation waste should be removed and transported out of the river. The project cost factors in the cost of transportation and contractors are paid accordingly. In case of the three barrages, it did not happen,” said a highly placed source in the CWC.
The CWC sent a report to Telangana government explaining the reasons for the 2022 submersion which also highlighted the havoc being played by the sand miners. The ramps for sand collection were causing hindrance to the free flow of water, it said adding that the ramps are also causing a way for flow of silt into rivers.
Sources said state officials offered an explanation that the foundation waste was expected to get washed away but the same did not happen.
The rainwater collected through tributaries, streams, canals and drains normally flows into rivers and makes their way into sea. However, in the catchment areas of these three barrages, the source in CWC said, the river bed level increased due to siltation and there was a reverse flow leading to submersion.
“The government must reveal the details of payments made to contractors for transporting sand to the designated lead areas,” demanded senior Congress leader Bakka Judson.
