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Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project: Curtains on Medigadda?
Hyderabad: Is it going to be curtains on Medigadda barrage? It looks like so if the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is the criterion. Furthermore, Annaram and Sundilla barrages may also meet the same fate. For uninitiated, these three barrages are the key elements of the muti-purpose Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, the redesigned version of erstwhile Pranahita Chevella Lift Irrigation Project (PCLIP) for which foundation stone was laid by then Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh YS Rajasekhara Reddy in 2008. While it was proposed to lift water from Pranahita river from Tummidihetti under PCLIP, the key location was shifted to Medigadda near Kaleshwaram in Bhupalpally district in 2016 by the then Chief Minister of Telangana and BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao, citing non-availability of adequate water at Tummidihetti. The Telangana government spent close to a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project after shifting the location, and constructed barrages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla. The Medigadda barrage is the crucial part of the redesigned project as entire water from Pranahita river is to be lifted from there with massive pumps. But interestingly, the Justice PC Ghose Commission which investigated into the irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project and misuse of public funds, found fault with the shifting of the location in the first place! This clearly shows that the fate of one of the biggest lift irrigation schemes in India is hanging in the balance now. Under these circumstances, the recommendation of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to the state government that it should go for repair of the sunken piers of Medigadda, and cracks developed in Sundilla and Annaram barrages will remain non-starter. Following the Ghose commission's report, which pinpointed the pitfalls during the construction of the Kaleshwaram project, including planning, design, execution and operation and maintenance, the state government has reportedly concluded that the project has turned into a non-performing asset and a white elephant for the state exchequer. The state Cabinet, which met on Monday, deliberated the Ghose Commission report at length and found that maintenance of the project would be a huge burden in the future. The Commission report was categorical that 'Kaleshwaram project, the intended lifeline for Telangana, has become a colossal waste of public money due to a profound failure of governance, planning, technical oversight, and financial discipline'. The report blamed the then chief minister, irrigation and finance ministers, irrigation officials and contract agencies from designing the project to its execution without following any scientific methodology. Officials said that the Ghose Commission found fault with the previous BRS government in every aspect of the execution of the project saying that it was unviable. The question of the existence of the Medigadda barrage is also crucial in the wake of the Congress government's proposal to construct a barrage at Tummidihetti by redesigning the project as per the earlier proposal of Pranahita Chevella Lift Irrigation Project. 'KCR abandoned Pranhita project and constructed Kaleshwaram project in the guise of redesigning and reengineering. Now, the Congress government is ready to construct Tummidihetti barrage by changing designs and scraping some barrages, pump sets and diversion of water through new canals and lifts. Though it is too early', said officials, while adding that the 'current government was developing a network for optimum utilisation of Godavari water through Tummidihatti'. However, the new proposal will not fructify until Maharashtra gives its nod for the construction of Tummidihetti barrage as there are some submergence issues. Meanwhile, irrigation experts, seeking anonymity, told The Hans India that the report released on Monday was more political in nature rather than technical. The technical aspects were not explained in detail. Instead, the commission compiled the statements of irrigation officials, experts and political leaders and drew its conclusions. The state government should make public the overwhelming 665-page report to understand the commission's technical understanding of the project, they pointed out. The Ghose panel should explain why the entire project was not viable and substantiate their findings with valid evidence and technicalities, they said.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cabinet to discuss Ghose panel report today
Hyderabad: The crucial meeting of the cabinet, led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy, will on Monday discuss the report submitted by the PC Ghose Commission on alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme. Additionally, the report of the high-level three-member committee, comprising senior IAS officers of irrigation and general administration, and the secretary of the law department, would be placed before the cabinet. The state govt has constituted the committee to study the Ghose report thoroughly and submit its findings. The report and the recommendations would be discussed in the cabinet meeting. Sources said chief secretary K Ramakrishna Rao met the committee on Sunday and discussed the synopsis they were going to present to the cabinet. The committee studied the over 600-page Ghose report, submitted in three volumes, and prepared a summary of its observations. In its report, the committee is likely to point out those responsible for the alleged irregularities that resulted in damages to some of the components of the three main barrages. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The Ghose Commission summoned even former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, former Ministers T Harish Rao, and Eatala Rajender (now BJP MP), before finalising its report. Sources said the Congress govt is planning to place the report in the assembly sessions and discuss who is responsible for taking decisions that resulted in damages to the components of the Kaleshwaram project barrages, and the future course of action. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
KLIP collective decision of Cabinet, not mine alone: KCR
Hyderabad: Former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, putting the record straight on charges made by his detractors that the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) was his one-man show from concept to execution, told the Justice PC Ghose Commission, which is probing alleged irregularities in the project, that KLIP was constructed as per the collective decision of the state Cabinet and that he did not take any individual decisions in the construction of the project. The BRS supremo deposed before the Commission, which earlier accepted his request to conduct a one-to-one inquiry without open court questioning in view of his frail health. The former CM also disclosed the reasons for the completion of the project in just three years. 'Every decision with regard to the finalization of the project designs, location of the barrages and reservoirs, execution of the works and maintenance of the project and barrages were done only after the approval of the technical committees and engineers,' KCR told the Commission. The Commission posed 18 questions to KCR, focusing mainly on his alleged role in the finalization of the project and barrages, damage suffered by three barrages – Medigadda, Annnaram and Sundilla, scrapping of the Tummidihetti barrage, release of water to barrage, mobilization of funds by constituting Kaleshwaram Corporation, utilization of funds etc. Justice PC Ghose specifically sought to know the reasons for the completion of a project as big as Kaleshwaram project in a short time. It is learnt that KCR explained the urgency of the completion of the project to provide a succor to distressed farmers in the dry areas. Further, KCR told the Commission, WAPCOS' recommendations on the location change and water availability were taken into consideration during the construction of the project. Explaining the main objective of the Kaleshwaram project, the former CM said that the government formed a corporation and borrowed money to complete the project without any delay. When the Commission inquired about the release of water to the barrages, KCR explained he had no role in that and mentioned that the project engineers were responsible for the maintenance of water levels in the barrages. The Maharastra government's objection to the Tummidihetti was the main reason to construct a barrage at Medigadda, the former CM said. The technical team recommended the construction of the three barrages and the Central Water Commission (CWC) made some suggestions which were also accepted by his government. Official sources said that KCR submitted all documentary evidence in support of his submissions such as government orders, CWC letters and Technical Committee study on the project to the Commission during the 50-minute-long quizzing.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kaleshwaram probe: Ghose panel to summon KCR, Harish
1 2 Hyderabad: As the investigation into the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage and leakages at Annaram and Sundilla barrages reached the final stages, former judge, Justice PC Ghose , who heads the one-man commission of inquiry, has decided to summon former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao , former irrigation minister T Harish Rao , and ex-finance minister Eatala Rajender for questioning. All three barrages are part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme , which was executed during the BRS govt's tenure. According to govt sources, KCR and the former ministers will be given two weeks to appear before the commission and clarify certain key issues. Notices are expected to be served by late Monday night or Tuesday, the sources said. To facilitate the questioning of the former CM and ministers, the govt has extended the term of the Ghose Commission by two more months, until July 31. Previously, the deadline for submitting the final report was May 31. While the commission had initially planned to submit its findings in May, Justice Ghose reportedly decided to seek further clarification from KCR and Harish Rao, given their involvement in major policy decisions, particularly the relocation of the Kaleshwaram project site from Tummidihatti to Medigadda, and their reported role in decisions related to project cost, design, and execution. This development comes almost exactly a year after another inquiry—led by Justice (retd) L Narasimha Reddy—was set up to probe alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements and the construction of two thermal power plants during the BRS regime. That commission had also summoned KCR, asking him to give clarification either in person or in writing. At the time, KCR requested an extension until July 30. However, Justice Narasimha Reddy eventually resigned from the commission after the Supreme Court expressed concern over his informal interactions with the media regarding the inquiry. Govt sources emphasised that seeking clarification from KCR was necessary in the interest of natural justice, as several officials and engineers who have deposed before the commission reportedly claimed that they acted on the direct instructions of then chief minister KCR. Some senior engineers reportedly testified that key decisions, including those related to design approvals, quality control, and project execution, were made at the top level, without interference from the project staff. Last month, the commission received the final reports from the vigilance and enforcement department and the National Dam Safety Authority. Both reports pointed to irregularities in the construction of the barrages and recommended action against certain officials, sources said.
