Hyderabad: The decision on Kaleshwaram water lifting rests with the Telangana government, according to an NDSA affidavit filed before the High Court. The agency said the state has the authority to decide whether to lift water from the project.
The affidavit came in response to a writ petition filed by advocate Sarath Kumar. According to the information provided, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) said the state government must take policy decisions on water lifting.
The agency also stated that it was not responsible for directing the government to pump water from the project. It similarly said decisions on filling the reservoir remained within the state’s authority.
The affidavit reportedly addressed the situation following the Medigadda barrage pillar issue. It stated that the state government could take a decision based on the project’s requirements and expert advice.
The NDSA also said it had provided technical support to the state government regarding the Kaleshwaram project. It emphasised that policy decisions remained the responsibility of the government.
The development has triggered a fresh political debate over the future use of Kaleshwaram. BRS leaders have accused the Congress government of abandoning the project and denying farmers access to irrigation water.
They have also cited earlier assessments by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS). According to the supplied source, CWPRS had found the project safe except for minor defects in Medigadda Block 7 and raised no obstacle to water lifting.
Kaleshwaram water lifting debate reaches High Court
BRS leaders said the latest NDSA affidavit challenged the Congress government’s position on pumping water from Kaleshwaram. They argued that the government could decide to lift water after considering technical advice.
The source also carried allegations that the Congress government had used the NDSA report for political criticism of the previous administration. These claims were made by BRS leaders and were not independently established in the supplied material.
The NDSA, according to the affidavit cited in the source, stressed the distinction between technical support and policy decisions. It said the state government had the freedom and authority to decide whether to undertake water lifting.
Senior advocate Sarath Kumar reportedly informed the High Court about the affidavit filed by the NDSA member secretary. The petition concerned the operation of the Kaleshwaram project and the state’s decision-making authority.
The issue remains politically sensitive because of the project’s importance to irrigation in Telangana. The latest affidavit has added another development to the continuing debate over the project’s future operation.