Hyderabad: Allegations of irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project barrages have triggered widespread debate across Telangana. The Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission, tasked with investigating these claims, has recently made critical observations regarding the Medigadda Barrage.
During a cross-examination on Wednesday, former Telangana State Irrigation Development Corporation (TSIDC) Chairman and BRS leader Prakash Rao appeared before the commission. Responding to concerns about repairs for the sunken 7th block of the Medigadda Barrage, Justice Ghose intervened, asserting that technical matters should be addressed by engineers and were beyond the scope of the former chairman’s expertise.
ALSO READ: Justice PC Ghose Commission Investigates Kaleshwaram Project
Shift from Tummidihetti to Medigadda Questioned
The commission sought clarity on the decision to relocate the barrage from Tummidihetti to Medigadda. Prakash Rao explained that the move was necessitated by irrigation demands, which required 200 TMC of water. He stated that Tummidihetti had insufficient water availability, with only 165 TMC identified by the Central Water Commission. Of this, 63 TMC was allocated to other states, leaving Telangana with just 102 TMC.
Additionally, Rao highlighted that upstream states like Maharashtra and Karnataka had constructed reservoirs that diminished water flow to Telangana over the last five decades. He also emphasized that irrigation challenges were a driving factor in the Telangana statehood movement.
READ MORE: Shocking Findings Emerge Regarding Kaleshwaram Project’s Annaram Barrage
However, the commission raised objections, stating that political arguments were irrelevant to the inquiry. It questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision, despite recommendations from a retired engineers’ committee in 2015 to prioritize the Pranahita-Chevella project at Tummidihetti. The committee had deemed the Medigadda Barrage unnecessary, citing increased costs and extended timelines.
Prakash Rao defended the decision, noting that the government opted to shift the project to the Venganga River and construct a 20 TMC Wardha Barrage to mitigate submergence risks at Tummidihetti.
Concluding the session, the commission remarked that Rao’s input was unnecessary, as he was not the TSIDC chairman when these decisions were made. The investigation into the alleged irregularities continues.
ALSO READ: Justice PC Ghosh Commission probes Kaleshwaram Project irregularities