Hyderabad: The State government is not cooperating with the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) in providing crucial information, said V. Sriram, Advisor to the Jal Shakti Ministry. He mentioned this while submitting an affidavit to the Justice Ghose Commission on Wednesday. The withheld information includes results from geo-technical and geo-physical tests needed to assess the damage to the Medigadda, Sundilla, and Annaram barrages under the Kaleshwaram project.
Sriram appeared before the Commission to discuss the permissions granted by the Jal Shakti Ministry for the Kaleshwaram project. He highlighted violations of construction norms by the previous BRS government, particularly regarding the three barrages built to lift water from the project. He also noted the issue of sinking piers in the Medigadda barrage, which has raised serious safety concerns.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sriram stated that the State government failed to conduct the tests recommended by the NDSA. These tests are critical to understanding the extent of the damage to the barrages. He revealed that the irrigation department filled cavities in the damaged structures without seeking the NDSA’s permission. This action prevented the collection of essential geo-technical data needed to properly assess the situation.
The NDSA had earlier submitted an interim report to the State government, urging them to conduct repairs on the damaged barrages following the guidelines set by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Additionally, the authority instructed the government to carry out geophysical tests and submit the findings. However, according to Sriram, the State government has not followed through on these orders.
The delay in conducting the necessary tests is now hindering the NDSA’s ability to finalize its report on the barrages. This, in turn, is slowing down the repair work needed to restore the damaged structures. Sriram emphasized that timely action is crucial to addressing the safety concerns associated with these barrages.
