Kaleshwaram Barrages to Resume Operations Only After Safety Clearances: State Government

The Telangana government will not reopen the Kaleshwaram barrages—located at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla—until rehabilitation efforts are finished and receive independent clearance from both the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC), Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference near Nagarjuna Sagar Dam following a review of irrigation infrastructure with senior engineers, Reddy emphasised that the government's approach prioritises safety, long-term viability, and protection of public assets over political considerations.

The Minister stressed that no operational restart would occur until all necessary remedial measures are in place. The rehabilitation strategy will undergo rigorous scrutiny by the NDSA and CWC before authorities make any final determination.

Reddy highlighted that the Kaleshwaram project represents a public investment exceeding Rs. 1.1 lakh crore, underscoring the government's obligation to safeguard these funds. He cautioned that premature operation of the barrages without completing repairs could endanger approximately 40 villages as well as the pilgrimage centre of Bhadrachalam.

Technical Assessments Underway

The government is pursuing a scientific methodology for rehabilitation work, according to the Minister. The assessment process has involved fresh geotechnical studies, non-destructive testing procedures, Ground Penetrating Radar investigations, aerial surveys using drones, and more than 100 boreholes to evaluate the structural integrity of the barrages.

Currently, all gates remain in an open position and the barrages are being maintained without load, consistent with NDSA directives. A collaborative team comprising international specialists, the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), and the Central Water Commission is jointly reviewing the rehabilitation designs to guarantee that all technical problems are rectified prior to resumption of operations.

Reddy committed that repair activities will proceed without sacrificing safety standards or engineering principles. He additionally instructed irrigation department staff to focus on upkeep of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, bolster canal systems, and accelerate the completion of outstanding irrigation schemes.