Hyderabad: Telangana Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday alleged that the Kaleshwaram project highlighted the consequences of allowing political decisions to override engineering expertise.
Addressing Telangana Engineers’ Day celebrations organised by the Institution of Engineers and the Telangana Retired Engineers Association at Visvesvaraya Bhavan in Khairatabad, Shabbir Ali claimed the previous BRS government had put more than ₹1 lakh crore of public money at risk by ignoring expert advice, technical safeguards and financial prudence.
Kaleshwaram project compared with Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung’s legacy
Shabbir Ali said Telangana Engineers’ Day, observed on the birth anniversary of Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur, celebrated professional integrity, scientific planning and engineering excellence. Moreover, he credited Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung with laying the foundation for modern irrigation and infrastructure development in Telangana.
He said the engineer contributed to projects such as Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar and Nizam Sagar. Additionally, he highlighted his role in planning Osmania University and Osmania General Hospital. According to Shabbir Ali, Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung’s works have endured because engineers based them on scientific studies, careful planning and professional discipline.
Kaleshwaram project faces fresh criticism
Contrasting those projects with Kaleshwaram, Shabbir Ali alleged that critical components of the irrigation scheme developed serious problems within two years of its inauguration.
He referred to the reported subsidence of piers at the Medigadda barrage and structural concerns at the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. Furthermore, he alleged that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao redesigned the irrigation project according to political preferences while sidelining experienced engineers.
Shabbir Ali also claimed the former government abandoned the original Pranahita-Chevella proposal at Tummidihatti despite substantial expenditure on canals and related works. According to him, a committee of retired engineers had advised against shifting the project to Medigadda. However, he alleged that the government ignored those recommendations.
Kaleshwaram project needs engineering accountability
Shabbir Ali alleged that the government awarded contracts before completing technical scrutiny and approvals. Moreover, he said technical approvals should precede construction rather than follow contract awards. He also referred to findings of the National Dam Safety Authority, claiming they had raised questions about planning, design, construction quality, operation and maintenance at Medigadda.
Additionally, he alleged that structural and foundation-related concerns had necessitated rehabilitation measures at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla. Shabbir Ali questioned why the barrages could not currently operate safely. He also criticised former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao and K. Chandrashekar Rao for continuing to defend the project.
Finally, he urged engineers to uphold professional ethics and resist political pressure. He also called on governments to involve engineers at every stage of infrastructure planning and implement their technical recommendations.