Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to seek technical guidance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the future operation of the Kaleshwaram barrages. He instructed them to obtain a formal technical opinion before considering storage and pumping operations at the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
The Minister issued the directions during a high-level review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Friday. Senior irrigation officials, engineers and technical experts attended the meeting. According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Telangana government has maintained the barrages in free-flow condition. The Minister said the government followed the NDSA’s safety recommendations.
Kaleshwaram barrages rehabilitation under review
Further, Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to attach relevant portions of the NDSA report to the communication. In addition, he asked them to include earlier technical observations and supporting documents. The communication, he said, should explain why the barrages had not been used for storage or pumping. It should also seek a formal opinion from the competent technical authorities.
Meanwhile, officials said recent communications from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti referred only to the general policy under which states take operational decisions on barrages. However, those communications did not specifically address the NDSA’s recommendation. The recommendation called for maintaining the structures in free-flow condition.
Moreover, the Minister directed officials to include findings from the Central Water Commission. He also asked them to attach Ground Penetrating Radar investigation reports. Officials will also enclose photographs, cavity assessments beneath the raft foundation and other engineering evidence. According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, the State government followed every technical recommendation issued by the NDSA and the Ministry of Jal Shakti during the investigations.
In addition, officials informed the Minister that the Central Water and Power Research Station was analysing the latest Ground Penetrating Radar data. They also reviewed other technical inputs. Officials further said Annaram Barrage could not store water. Investigators identified cavities in the raft foundation.
Further, officials said they would complete the rehabilitation concept design for Medigadda Barrage by the end of August. By mid-September, they will prepare the preliminary rehabilitation cost estimate. Over the next two weeks, officials expect additional technical inputs for the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. They will also complete the analysis of the investigation data.
Accordingly, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to present the preliminary rehabilitation proposals before the Technical Oversight Committee at its next meeting.