Hyderabad: A massive crackdown on the Medigadda Barrage scandal has rocked the engineering corridors of Telangana, with the state’s Vigilance Commission ordering stringent action against 57 officials, including top brass engineers, for their alleged involvement in a saga of corruption, negligence, and collusion that has cost the public exchequer dearly.
In a report submitted on 18 March 2025, the commission, led by M.G. Gopal, IAS (Retd.), recommended a cocktail of criminal prosecution, departmental disciplinary action, and financial recovery against those accused of playing a role in the controversial construction and management of the Medigadda Barrage—a key component of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The contractor, M/s L&T-PES (JV), has not been spared either, with the panel pushing for stringent measures to recover losses and ensure accountability.
Rot at the Top
The investigation, steered by the Director General of Vigilance and Enforcement, exposed a chilling tale of structural failures, procedural lapses, and unchecked corruption that culminated in the dramatic sinking of Block No. 7 of the barrage. The commission’s findings point to a deep-seated malaise—ranging from dereliction of duty to collusion with contractors—by officials who were supposed to safeguard the project’s integrity.
Of the 57 officials under scrutiny, 17 serving and retired officers face the most serious allegations. The commission has recommended their prosecution under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120(B) for criminal conspiracy, 336 for endangering human life, and 409 for criminal breach of trust, as well as under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and the PDPP Act, 1984. Those on the radar include:
- Cheeti Muralidhar – Engineer-in-Chief (General) (Retired)
- Bhupathi Raju Nagendra Rao – Engineer-in-Chief (Operations & Maintenance)
- V. Phanibhushan Sharma – Director of Works Accounts
- Mohd. Ajmal Khan – Deputy Chief Engineer
- N. Venkateshwarlu – Engineer-in-Chief (Retired)
These senior officials are accused of turning a blind eye to contract violations, approving substandard work, and forging cosy ties with contractors, which investigators say led directly to the structural debacle at Block No. 7.
Administrative Heat on 33 More
If the criminal charges weren’t enough, the commission’s net also closed in on another 33 officials, recommended for major penalty proceedings under Rule 20 of the Telangana Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991. This group spans a range of ranks—from Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) to Superintending Engineers (SEs)—each allegedly complicit in procedural lapses, misuse of authority, and negligence that exacerbated the crisis. Among those singled out are:
- V. Ajaya Kumar – Chief Engineer (Retired)
- Sudagoni Sathyanarayana – Deputy Superintending Engineer
- B. Venkata Ramana Reddy – Former Executive Engineer
Investigators say these officials failed to enforce proper codes, ignored critical quality checks, and played a role in compromising the project’s structural soundness—leading to financial losses that continue to mount.
No Let-Up for Retirees
In an unflinching move, the commission also invoked the Telangana Revised Pension Rules, 1980 to haul up seven retired officials, sending a clear message that the exit door does not guarantee immunity. The list includes:
Chatla Gangadhar – Superintending Engineer (Retired), Lakes and Water Bodies Management Circle
A. Narender Reddy – Engineer-in-Chief (Retired), Central Designs Organisation
These officers now face proceedings aimed at holding them accountable for decisions and lapses that, according to the commission, contributed to the fiasco.
Contractor in the Crosshairs
The contractor, M/s L&T-PES (JV), finds itself in the spotlight for alleged substandard execution—particularly in the construction of secant piles, which investigators say played a critical role in the collapse of Block No. 7. The commission’s report accuses the contractor of breaching RE-I Supplemental agreements, inflating costs through shoddy execution, and failing to adhere to approved methodologies. It has recommended recovering the cost of replacing the damaged block from the contractor, alongside enforcing tight contractual compliance in ongoing projects.
A System in Disarray
Beyond the individuals, the commission’s findings read like a blueprint for systemic rot in Telangana’s public works. The report slams the lax enforcement of General Conditions of Contract (GCC) clauses and calls for robust training of newly recruited AEEs in proper maintenance of Measurement Books (MBs) and project documentation. It highlights the need for clear guidelines on design changes—mandating that the Central Designs Organisation (CDO) rigorously review and approve any revisions.
Equally damning is the commission’s call for strengthened quality control, including mandatory Operations and Maintenance (O&M) clauses in all contracts, and enhanced oversight of Joint Venture (JV) arrangements to thwart collusion. Senior engineers, too, have been singled out for approving deviations without securing the necessary authorisations, creating a free-for-all that ultimately eroded project safety and public trust.
Government’s Response
The I&CAD Department has been directed to acknowledge receipt of the report and update the Vigilance Commission on the actions taken, a move that signals the gravity of the situation. Notably, the commission has underscored the need to treat the report as confidential, cautioning against quoting or referencing it without explicit permission.
Sources within the department hinted that departmental inquiries are being finalised and action-taken reports will follow shortly. This seismic intervention is expected to send ripples across not just the Medigadda Barrage project but the entire infrastructure governance landscape in Telangana.
As the dust settles, the commission’s report stands as a stark reminder that no project is too big to fail—and that vigilance and accountability are the bedrock of public trust in government-led mega-projects.
