Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday said the government would carry out the Kaleshwaram restoration strictly under NDSA recommendations. He said the state would also follow directions from the Technical Oversight Committee appointed by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry.
Addressing a press conference at Bodhi Pavilion in MCRHRD, Jubilee Hills, Revanth Reddy said experts must first declare the barrages safe. Until then, he said the government would not resume water storage or lifting operations. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponnam Prabhakar, and other public representatives attended the briefing.
Kaleshwaram restoration to follow expert guidance
Revanth Reddy said the Union Jal Shakti Ministry formed the Technical Oversight Committee on June 30, 2026. The committee will examine the design and restoration of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages. According to him, the panel includes representatives from the NDSA, Central Water Commission and Central Water and Power Research Station.
It also includes representatives from the Telangana government. Moreover, the committee will consult national and international experts before finalising its recommendations. The Chief Minister said the state would implement every recommendation from the NDSA and the expert committee.
Revanth Reddy said the NDSA identified deficiencies in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance. Therefore, the authority advised the government against storing water in the barrages under present conditions. He said the 365-page report examined the subsidence of piers in Block 7 at Medigadda.
According to him, the damage affected the stability of the entire barrage. The report also called for a comprehensive assessment of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla. Furthermore, the NDSA recommended rehabilitation before the structures could safely store water.
NDSA report cited on water lifting
Revanth Reddy said the Medigadda pumps require a water level of 93.5 metres. Authorities must first store at least five TMC by closing the barrage gates. Only then can the Kannepalli pumps begin lifting water.
However, the NDSA warned against closing the gates before repairs. The Chief Minister said the structures could not safely withstand hydraulic pressure in their current condition. Consequently, he said the government could not technically lift water from the Godavari now.
He also rejected claims that authorities could lift water directly from the flowing river without storage. Revanth Reddy accused some political leaders of misleading the public over Godavari water lifting. He said the government had explained the technical reasons to prevent misinformation.
The Chief Minister recalled that an Executive Engineer wrote to the construction agency in May 2020. That letter flagged structural deficiencies before the project reached full completion. He also said floods damaged the Kannepalli Pump House in July 2022.
Moreover, he said authorities had not fully restored the pump house. Revanth Reddy said the NDSA inspected the project after the Medigadda incident in October 2023. The authority then highlighted flaws in design, planning, construction quality, operation and maintenance.
Revanth Reddy said the ongoing testing process would conclude this month. Afterward, the government would begin restoration work. It would act on recommendations from IIT Bombay, international experts and the Technical Oversight Committee.
He said the Telangana government would fully cooperate with the NDSA. Finally, he said the government had no hidden agenda. He added that public safety would guide the Kaleshwaram restoration process.