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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BRS govt followed engineers' advice on KLIS: Harish to Ghose panel
1 2 Hyderabad: Former irrigation minister T Harish Rao has staunchly defended the BRS govt's decisions on Kaleshwaram project, asserting they were backed by technical recommendations, cabinet approvals, and driven by ground realities, including inter-state constraints. Deposing before the Justice (retired) PC Ghose Commission of Inquiry on Monday, Harish Rao, who held the irrigation portfolio between 2014 and 2018, clarified that the former BRS govt had shifted the Kaleshwaram project location from Tummidihatti to Medigadda based on expert committee advice, water availability, and political hurdles with neighbouring Maharashtra. "The Central Water Commission itself said the proposed water availability at Tummidihatti was not feasible. Of the 160 tmcft expected, 63 tmcft had already been allocated to upstream states. The CWC even wrote to the state to reconsider the proposal," Harish Rao said during the 40-minute hearing, conducted in English and Hindi. He supported his statements with a line diagram of the project. He added that an expert committee of retired engineers had also flagged concerns over Tummidihatti's viability. "The idea was to irrigate 16 lakh acres, but even the engineering committee recommended creating artificial reservoirs instead," he said. The ex-minister also highlighted Maharashtra's strong opposition to the barrage at 152 metres elevation due to submergence and local resistance. "Despite several rounds of meetings with Maharashtra ministers and even their then CM Devendra Fadnavis, who candidly remarked that even when the Congress was in power, both in state and at the Centre, they could not push this project through for seven years. How could we have succeeded where they failed, given the local anger," Harish Rao said. He maintained the eventual decision to shift to Medigadda and reconfigure Annaram and Sundilla barrages was guided by a Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) survey and recommendations from both serving and retired engineers. "Even major projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, SRSP, and the recent Kanthanpally saw location changes after field surveys — so such revisions were not unprecedented," he said. On the barrage failures, Harish Rao distanced the political executive from operational decisions. "Filling up of barrages was entirely a decision of field-level engineers and the irrigation department. The govt had no role in that," he claimed. When asked about the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Corporation, Harish Rao confirmed that it was created as a special purpose vehicle to raise loans. "The initial plan was to generate revenue through water tariffs from industries, but Covid-19 disrupted that. The state then stepped in with budgetary support, and the govt never defaulted," he said. Harish Rao also pointed out that all decisions regarding Kaleshwaram—barrage locations, project structure, and KLIC formation—had cabinet backing. "Some decisions, especially on technical grounds, were made on the advice of engineers. Govts cannot override technical feasibility," he reiterated. His deposition comes at a time when the BRS is under political fire following structural failures in the prestigious multi-purpose Kaleshwaram project, which was often showcased by the party as a symbol of Telangana's irrigation resurgence.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BRS govt followed engineers' advice, Harish defends Kaleshwaram decisions before probe Ghose panel
Hyderabad: Former irrigation minister T staunchly defended the BRS govt's decisions on Kaleshwaram project, asserting they were backed by technical recommendations, cabinet approvals, and driven by ground realities, including inter-state constraints. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Deposing before the Justice (retired) PC Ghose Commission of Inquiry on Monday, Rao, who held the irrigation portfolio between 2014 and 2018, clarified that the former BRS govt had shifted the source of the Kaleshwaram project from Tummidihatti to Medigadda based on expert committee advice, water availability, and political hurdles with neighbouring Maharashtra. "The Central Water Commission itself said the proposed water availability at Tummidihatti was not feasible. Of the 160 tmcft expected, 63 tmcft had already been allocated to upstream states. The CWC even wrote to the state to reconsider the proposal," Harish Rao said during the 40-minute hearing, conducted in English and Hindi. He supported his statements with a line diagram of the project. He added that an expert committee of retired engineers had also flagged concerns over Tummidihatti's viability. "The idea was to irrigate 16 lakh acres, but even the engineering committee recommended creating artificial reservoirs instead," he said. The ex-minister also highlighted Maharashtra's strong opposition to the barrage at 152 metres elevation due to submergence and local resistance. "Despite several rounds of meetings with Maharashtra ministers and even their then CM Devendra Fadnavis, who candidly remarked that even when the Congress was in power at both state and Centre, they could not push this project through for seven years. How could we have succeeded where they failed, given the local anger," Harish Rao said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now H e maintained that the eventual decision to shift to Medigadda and reconfigure Annaram and Sundilla barrages was guided by a Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) survey and recommendations from both serving and retired engineers. "Even major projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, SRSP, and the recent Kanthanpally saw location changes after field surveys — so such revisions were not unprecedented," he said. On the barrage failures, Harish Rao distanced the political executive from operational decisions. "Filling up of barrages was entirely a decision of field-level engineers and the irrigation department. The govt had no role in that," he claimed. When asked about the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Corporation, Harish Rao confirmed that it was created as a special purpose vehicle to raise project loans. "The initial plan was to generate revenue through water tariffs from industries, but Covid-19 disrupted that. The state then stepped in with budgetary support, and the govt never defaulted," he said. Harish Rao also pointed out that all decisions regarding Kaleshwaram—barrage locations, project structure, and KLIC formation—had cabinet backing. "Some decisions, especially on technical grounds, were made on the advice of engineers. Govts cannot override technical feasibility," he reiterated. His deposition comes at a time when the BRS is under political fire following structural failures in the prestigious Kaleshwaram project, which was often showcased by the party as a symbol of Telangana's irrigation resurgence.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
As charges swirl, KLIS duel boils over
Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed former minister T Harish Rao , alleging that Telangana's irrigation sector suffered irreversible damage due to the faulty decisions made by the BRS govt. He demanded Harish Rao tender an unconditional apology for misleading the people of the state on the Kaleshwaram project. In a statement on Saturday, Uttam refuted the allegations levelled by Harish Rao and claimed that after the BRS govt inaugurated the project in 2019, only 162 TMC of water was lifted, of which 63 TMC was released into the sea. He demanded an answer from Harish on how the BRS govt managed to irrigate 22 lakh acres with just 99 TMC. "The BRS govt took out rallies after their delegation returned from Maharashtra and announced that a barrage would be constructed at Thummidihatti. A gravity canal was also constructed from Thummidihatti to Yellampally, covering a distance of 100 km. While that was a gravity-based project, Kaleshwaram relies on reverse pumping — only to release a huge quantity of water into sea," the minister claimed. He also dismissed allegations that the previous Congress govt had spent very little on the Pranahitha-Chevella project. He said before the formation of state, 6,156 crore was spent on the project and by 2016, it rose to 11,679 crore. The minister further said the Central Water Commission had never claimed there was no water availability at Thummidithatti. He said that had the BRS govt completed the project at the site with about 38,000 crore, it could have irrigated 17 lakh acres of new ayacut up to Chevella — eliminating the need for 1 lakh crore for the Kaleshwaram project. Of the remaining amount of 62,000 crore (if Pranahitha-Chevella was taken up with 38,000 cr), the govt could have completed many projects such as Palamuru, Nettampadu, Bheema, SLBC, Dindi, Sitharama, and other projects, Uttam claimed. He further said the govt was paying 16,000 crore in interest on the loans taken by the BRS govt for the Kaleshwaram project.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
1 dead in Assam floods even as water recedes
Guwahati: Two fatalities were recorded in Kamrup (Metro) district during the past 24 hours — one due to flooding and another from a landslide. However, the overall flood situation in Assam showed considerable improvement. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that the count of flood-affected residents decreased to 3.37 lakh by Saturday evening, down from 4.43 lakh on Friday evening. The number of flood-affected districts has also come down from 18 to 12 in the same period. The two deaths bring the total number of casualties in floods and landslides in the northeast to 50 since the monsoon mayhem began on May 30 in the region. As per ASDMA, the flood death count in Assam this year has reached 17, and the total deaths in landslides so far this year stand at six. Presently, Kamrup and Darrang are the two urban flood-affected districts, with around 650 people affected. A total of 999 villages in 41 revenue circles are affected by the flood. As detailed in the ASDMA bulletin, five animals have died and 29 wild animals have been rescued at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The Brahmaputra continued to flow above danger level in lower Assam's Dhubri district, while its tributary Kopili in central Assam was also above the danger mark on Saturday morning, according to the Central Water Commission report. In Barak Valley, the rivers Barak and Kushiyara were both flowing above the danger mark on Saturday morning. Among the districts, more than half of the state's flood-affected population is currently in Barak Valley's Sribhumi district, where over 1.93 lakh people remain affected. About 74,000 people are affected in Hailakandi district, and approximately 56,000 people in Cachar district, both within the Barak Valley region of south Assam. More than 12,000 hectares of crop area in the state remain affected, even as the winter paddy sowing season approaches. Over 36,000 people are currently in relief camps across various districts. Rainfall has decreased considerably, and in the last 24 hours, Assam experienced a large deficiency in rainfall.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Assam flood situation severe, 2 fresh deaths take toll to 46
Guwahati: The flood crisis in Assam continues to be grave, with 21 districts facing severe conditions affecting 6.79 lakh people as of Wednesday evening. In the past 24 hours, two more flood-related deaths occurred — one child in Nagaon district and a man in Cachar district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Since last Friday, floods and landslides in the northeast have claimed 46 lives. Continuous rainfall in Assam and adjacent northeastern states has led to additional flooding. According to the Central Water Commission's Wednesday morning assessment, the Brahmaputra surpassed danger levels at Neamatighat, Tezpur, and Dhubri. Its tributaries, Burhidihing and Kopili, also exceeded danger marks at various locations. In the Barak Valley, the Barak River at Fulertal, BP Ghat, and AP Ghat, alongside Sonai, Rukni, Dhaleswari, Katakhal, and Kushiyara rivers, were above danger levels on Wednesday morning. In Barak Valley, Sribhumi district reports 2.59 lakh affected individuals, while Hailakandi (1.72 lakh) and Nagaon (1.02 lakh) in central Assam face severe impact. ASDMA reports indicate 66 revenue circles and roughly 1,500 villages are affected. Nearly 15,000 hectares of crops are underwater. Present statistics show 405 relief camps housing over 41,000 people, with 111 medical teams active and 130 people rescued by boats. The IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre has issued yellow alerts for Thursday across various districts, including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, South Salmara Mancachar, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, and Hailakandi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The alerts extend to all districts of Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, and several areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. Weather officials suggest immediate flood relief is unlikely. Manipur continues to face critical flooding, with security forces and volunteers distributing essential supplies. The Imphal River's breaches have damaged over 20 houses, with numerous residential areas submerged. Under Operation Jalrahat-2, Assam Rifles distributed water in Thambalkhong Leirak, Wangkhei, established medical camps in Khumidok village, and conducted rescue operations. Defogging operations continue to address health concerns from stagnant water. "Indian Army established emergency drinking water distribution points and provided 5,750 litres of fresh drinking water at a flood-ravaged village, Soibam Leikai Imphal East district, Manipur, ensuring the residents had access to clean and potable water. The unprecedented floods left the local population struggling for clean drinking water," the defence PRO wrote on X, on Wednesday. During Wednesday's high level task force meeting, Union DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia discussed flood conditions with northeastern state leaders. "Reaffirmed the Centre's full support and readiness to assist the affected states. My team at @MDoNER_India also remains fully committed to extend all necessary assistance. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters in the Northeast continues to be our foremost priority," Scindia wrote on X.
