Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has decided to form an Expert Committee to study the quality of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram project.
The Chief Minister wants a thorough study of the quality of the barrages and the necessary steps to be taken regarding the sunk Piers of Medigadda barrage. The government will make a decision based on the committee’s report. CM Revanth warned the Irrigation officials not to make any mistakes in haste. A decision on further repairs and restoration measures will be made after considering all technical issues.
The CM stated that Telangana has already suffered due to mistakes made by the previous government. The government will not compromise on protecting the state’s interests. The government is willing to spend Rs 8,000 crore or Rs 10,000 crore for repairs on projects that cost more than Rs 1.50 lakh crore. CM Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy conducted a review on Irrigation at Dr. BR Ambedkar Secretariat on Saturday.
The CM suggested forming an expert committee with experts from Central Water Corporation, National Dam Safety Authority, and Engineers from the state Irrigation department. A meeting will be arranged with them within two or three days, with the Irrigation Minister also attending. The Committee will conduct a comprehensive study on whether to repair the damaged Medigadda barrage or remove Piers, among other things.
The Chief Minister also ordered an all-party meeting to be held soon regarding Telangana’s water share in river Krishna and the projects built on the river. The CM instructed irrigation officials to prepare a comprehensive report on all meetings related to the utilization of Krishna waters since the formation of Telangana. These details will be discussed in the all-party meeting.
The CM emphasized that the all-party meeting will also discuss water share. Out of the 811 tmcs of Krishna water, AP received 512 tmcs and Telangana received 299 tmcs. The CM wants to present all the details of decisions made by the previous government and clarify the truth behind opposition parties’ arguments. The government will accept suggestions that are beneficial for the people of Telangana.
The meeting also addressed allegations of handing over Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam projects to KRMB. The officials explained that no projects have been handed over or agreements signed. The CM expressed anger towards irrigation officials for not responding to opposition criticism and requested details of attendees and decisions made in Krishna Board meetings.
The CM stated that the all-party meeting will also discuss water utilization in the Rayalaseema region and the previous government’s excessive use of water by Andhra Pradesh. Revanth Reddy ordered the preparation of project details according to villages and mandals. The officials provided details of pending projects, and the CM ordered their completion as a priority.
