Hyderabad: A recent inspection by a team of quality control engineers of the irrigation department is learnt to have found that the ongoing flood protection work at the three barrages of the Kaleshwaram project were progressing at different speeds, and that the agencies executing the works were instructed to speed up the works and adhere to the quality parameters.
It is learnt that the inspection team suggested that the mandatory investigations ordered by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) into the geological and geophysical aspects of the river bed on which the barrages are sitting, as well as drilling of core samples must be speeded up at Sundilla and Annaram barrages.
Sources in the department also said that suggestions were given to engineers from the two agencies working at these barrages on following all the steps needed to firm up placement of huge cement concrete blocks on the downstream side of the barrages for flood protection.
The sources said some concerns related to placing the blocks on a bed of aggregates — crushed rocks of 20 mm, and 40 mm placed in two layers to a total thickness of 50 cm — which if not followed, might affect blocks’ ability to dissipate the force of flood water. The agencies said they are getting more equipment, machinery, and personnel to ramp up work. They also said they are waiting for some fresh designs, a source in the department said.
The Sundilla and Annaram barrages are not expected to face any immediate floods, or flood threat of a magnitude that might upset the works as they are located downstream of the Kaddem dam, and the Sripada Yellampalli reservoir on the Godavari river which are expected to act as cushions by storing the initial flows and even floods once the monsoon picks up and volume of water in the river rises.
Of higher concern is the Medigadda barrage, located downstream of the Godavari’s confluence with the Pranahita river where the flows are expected to rise significantly once monsoon rain sets in.
A senior irrigation department engineer said as per NDSA guidelines, seven gates on partially damaged Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage have been lifted, with the exception of one which had to be cut down as it was jammed between two piers that sank.
All the three agencies doing the repairs have been instructed to strictly follow NDSA recommendations, and to quality parameters, and complete the work quickly. The work at Sundilla and Annaram might take around a month to complete, the sources said, while at Medigadda, it is expected to be completed earlier.
