State Government Ready to Rehabilitate the Damaged 3 Barrages: CM Revanth

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy affirmed that the state government is ready to rehabilitate the damaged 3 barrages- Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram in the Kaleshwaram project on the recommendations of the NDSA ( National Dam Safety Authority) . The Chief Minister demanded BJP MP E Rajendar to lead a delegation to Delhi and appraise the NDSA of the condition of the barrages for the release of water . The BJP MP was also demanded to convince the union government and order a CBI probe into the multi crore Kaleshwaram project scam.

Addressing the press today, the CM launched a sharp attack on the BRS for demanding the release of water from Kannepalli pump house. CM Revanth Reddy ridiculed the ‘ Khiladi Group’ headed by KCR’s misinformation campaign on the release of water from the barrages. The Chief minister clarified that the NDSAS report concluded that the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages are unsuitable for water storage. Page 346 mentioned that the damage to the 7th block of the Medigadda barrage has rendered it unfit for water diversion. Page 352 noted that the Annaram barrage is severely damaged and that diverting water through it is unsafe. Page 356 clearly stated that diverting water through the Sundilla barrage is unsafe due to the severe damage . The NDSA recommended that all restoration designs, repairs, and related works be undertaken only with the approval of the NDSA or the CWC. “ We are ready to handover the barrages to NDSA for rehabilitation if the agency comes forward. Rajendar should take the responsibility of convincing the central agency to address the issue”.

Further, the Chief Minister said that a minimum water level of 93.50 meters is required for pumping . The current water level was only 89.90 meters. At Annaram and Sundilla, not a drop of water can be stored unless the gates are closed. The NDSA has already clearly advised against closing the gates to store water, citing safety concerns regarding the barrages.

The NDSA report also warned the bed level at Medigadda is 88.50 meters, and the crest level is 89.50 meters. Lifting water via the Kannepalli (Lakshmi) pump house—located approximately 18 kilometers away—a water level of 93.50 meters is required. Even though there is water flow at Medigadda, the water level does not reach the 93.50-meter mark necessary for pumping. The situation is similar at the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, the CM explained that if water is lifted from Kannepalli, it flows back to Medigadda because the gates there remain open. As per the NDSA recommendations, closing the gates was not possible.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the NDSA’s preliminary report has already stated that filling the barrage with water would be hazardous due to the damage sustained by the 7th block. After conducting various tests and field inspections by experts, the NDSA submitted its final report ten months later. Recently, the union government constituted a special technical committee to handle the restoration of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages on June 30, 2026. The committee must be kept informed regarding technical advice on designs and restoration proposals, as well as inquiries, construction activities, quality control measures, and any proposed modifications.

CM Revanth Reddy advised Rajendar not to fall in the trap of the ‘ Khiladi group’ . BRS leaders are demanding lifting water and the BJP MP also adopted the BRS stance for lifting water from Kannepalli. “ We respect Etela Rajender, but we do not respect the statements he has made. His stature would have been enhanced had he gathered details from the Irrigation Minister, the NDSA, or officials before making a comment.

In a scathing attack on BRS , the Chief minister alleged that Rajendar was speaking at the BRS leader’s behest and lost his credibility. KCR has formed a separate ‘Khiladi Committee’ with KTR and Harish Rao as members. Now, Etela has also joined as a member. The CM took strong exception to the retired engineers’ support to the BRS demand for release of water. The truth behind the debts, commissions and wrongdoings would only come out only when they were sent to Cherlapally Jail. The Chief minister also fired a salvo at Harish Rao alleging that the BRS leader was greedy for commissions and not even sparing crusher contractors now . It was Harish Rao’s dairy farm which was supplying milk to the Andhra-based institutions – Narayana and Chaitanya groups. ‘Was Harish Rao grazing donkeys when 105 TMC of water was diverted to Pattiseema during the BRS regime? Can the BRS leaders guarantee that water won’t be denied to Polavaram if Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla become operational?

The CM questioned the union government for not accepting the demand for CBI probe into the Kaleshwaram scam . The State Government handed over the investigation into the irregularities and corruption allegations surrounding the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages to the CBI. Government order 104 was also issued on September 1, 2025, handing over the case to the CBI. The chief minister demanded an explanation as to why the investigation was not ordered.

The Chief minister also disclosed the details of the Kaleshwaram project and the damage of barrages in a chronological order. KCR inaugurated the Kaleshwaram project on June 29, 2019. On May 18, 2020, Executive Engineer B.V. Ramana Rao wrote a letter pointing out defects in the Medigadda barrage. Defects in the Medigadda Barrage came to light within just 11 months. The then BRS government ignored and it escalated to the point of collapse. The Piers of the Medigadda Barrage sank on October 21, 2023. The very next day, engineers filed a complaint at the police station regarding the incident. On November 1, 2023, the NDSA submitted a report citing flaws in planning, design, and operational maintenance. The Dam Safety Act, 2021, came into effect across the country on December 30, 2021. Under the Dam Safety Act of 2021, designated dams can be monitored, maintained, and inspected. The NDSA visited Medigadda in accordance with the legislation enacted by the Central Government.