In a major development concerning the Kaleshwaram project, already under scrutiny after the sinking of the Medigadda Barrage, a new study has revealed alarming concerns about the structural integrity of the Annaram Barrage. The study uncovered that the construction quality of 16 gates of the barrage is severely compromised. This comes as a major worry, especially in light of recent incidents where the Medigadda Barrage sank, and similar issues surfaced with the Annaram and Sundilla barrages shortly after.
To address these concerns, the National Dam Safety Authority commissioned the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) in Pune to conduct physical tests on the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. These tests were conducted between Gate 26 and Gate 46 of the Annaram Barrage, revealing shocking results.
16 Gates Found Lacking in Quality
Out of the 21 gates tested by CWPRS, the report indicated that 16 gates showed poor construction quality. Gates 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46 were flagged for not meeting the required standards. The report highlighted that substandard plain concrete and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) were used in the construction of the foundation, including the raft and secant piles. CWPRS submitted this report to the Irrigation Department in August.
How Was the Quality Determined?
The quality of the gates was assessed using parallel seismic testing, as per IS 516:2018 codes. This test measures the velocity of seismic waves, with higher velocities indicating better construction quality. However, the results showed that the velocity was significantly lower at 16 of the gates, confirming poor construction quality. Both plain concrete and RCC used in the Annaram Barrage did not meet the IS standards.
According to the report, seismic velocity in RCC, reinforced with iron, is expected to be 1.2 to 1.9 times higher than in plain concrete, as waves travel faster through the iron components. CWPRS emphasized that if sufficient iron is used in RCC, the wave velocity should be much higher. In the case of Annaram Barrage, both the plain concrete and RCC failed to achieve the required seismic velocity, raising serious concerns about the overall construction quality.