Hyderabad: The Telangana irrigation department is preparing to initiate disciplinary and legal proceedings against officials and contractors indicted in the vigilance report on the Medigadda barrage structural failure, based on the state vigilance manual.
Following recommendations submitted in March by the Vigilance and Enforcement wing, the department is evaluating whether to proceed with criminal prosecution against key engineers and contractor firm L&T–PES or issue show-cause notices under departmental rules.
The vigilance commission, in a letter dated March 18 to the irrigation secretary, urged full implementation of its recommendations. With no visible action for three months, the matter surfaced during a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy met with senior irrigation officials on Friday to finalise a course of action. Advisor Adityanath Das has been assigned to oversee follow-up. Engineers may receive show-cause notices as early as Monday.
The vigilance report named 17 officials and L&T–PES as liable for criminal prosecution under IPC Sections 120B, 336, 409, 418, 423, 426, and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Dam Safety Act-2021, and PDPP Act-1984. Another 33 officials were recommended for major penalty proceedings, including some who have retired.
The contractor allegedly secured completion certificates despite leaving works unfinished under supplementary agreements. Restoration costs for damage in Block 7 should be recovered from the firm, the report said.
Systemic lapses such as poor concrete laying, substandard pylon foundations, and lack of inspection were attributed to inexperienced junior engineers (AEEs), some of whom failed to attend mandatory training. They reportedly approved faulty execution and inaccurately recorded measurements in MB books.
The vigilance commission advised issuing clear guidelines to the State Level Standing Committee (SLSC), whose members, it noted, deflected responsibility onto the project chief engineer. Contract modifications and claims beyond original agreements should mandatorily follow the PWD Code, it said.
