Nagarjuna Sagar, July 4 (RAHNUMA): Making it clear that there would be no compromise on safety irrigation projects, Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has declared that the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages would be operated after all rehabilitation works are completed and independently cleared by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Addressing a press conference at Vijay Vihar near the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on Saturday after reviewing irrigation works with senior engineers of the project, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the State government’s priority was safety, sustainability and protection of public assets, not political optics.
“These barrages will not be operated until every required rectification is completed. The rehabilitation plan will undergo stringent proof-checking by both the NDSA and the CWC before any decision is taken,” he asserted.
The Minister said the Kaleshwaram barrages represented a public investment of more than Rs. 1.1 lakh crore and the government had a responsibility to protect every rupee spent by the people of Telangana.
He warned that any irresponsible or premature operation of the barrages could have serious consequences. Around 40 villages, besides the temple town of Bhadrachalam and the famous shrine, could face risk if the structures were operated without completing the required repairs, he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government had adopted a scientific approach to rehabilitate the barrages. Fresh geotechnical investigations, non-destructive testing, Ground Penetrating Radar surveys, drone-based studies and more than 100 boreholes had been undertaken to assess the condition of the structures, he said.
The Minister said the barrages are presently being maintained in an unloaded condition with all gates kept open, strictly following NDSA recommendations.
He said international experts, the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) and the Central Water Commission were jointly examining the rehabilitation designs to ensure that every technical deficiency was rectified before the barrages were put back into service.
Uttam Kumar Reddy assured that all repair works would be taken up systematically and completed without compromising safety or engineering standards.
He also informed that the maintenance and safe operation of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam would remain the state government’s highest priority. He directed irrigation officials to ensure timely maintenance, strengthen canal infrastructure and accelerate pending irrigation works.
