Telangana CM-led delegation inspects Medigadda barrage
CM Revanth Reddy describes the claim of KCR that Kaleshwaram project irrigated 1 crore acres, as a blatant lie
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy checking damages to Medigadda barrage of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Medigadda in Bhupalpally district on Tuesday
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and MLAs, paid a visit to Medigadda barrage on Tuesday. The barrage, heralded as the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, has been marred by structural concerns, with several pillars reportedly sinking last year.
According to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), 15 to 20 pillars of the Medigadda barrage succumbed to sinking on the night of October 21, 2023, during the tenure of the previous BRS government. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his entourage departed from the Assembly premises following its adjournment, to assess the situation firsthand.
Addressing the assembly before the visit, Reddy said that the visit would enable newly elected MLAs to engage in informed debate regarding the Medigadda barrage’s condition.
Highlighting allegations of irregularities and missing files, Reddy underscored the need for accountability and transparency. He challenged both the previous BRS government and opposition leader K Chandrasekhar Rao to explain the facts surrounding the barrage’s deterioration.
Later speaking at Medigadda, the Chief Minister alleged the claim of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao that Kaleshwaram project irrigated 1 crore acres, was a blatant lie.
“The BRS government wasted Rs 94,000 crore on the project which could irrigate only 98,570 acres. The government is forced to cough up Rs 10,500 crore towards power bills of this project. Besides, an additional amount of Rs 25,000 crore is required for repaying bank loans installments and other expenses,” Revanth Reddy explained.
Earlier speaking in the Assembly in the morning, BRS MLA T Harish Rao accused the Congress of politicizing the issue for electoral gain. He urged the Chief Minister to also inspect other reservoirs constructed during the BRS regime to grasp their agricultural benefits.
Meanwhile, the Assembly on Monday passed a resolution affirming the State’s stance against transferring control of shared projects on the Krishna river to the Krishna River Management Board without meeting Telangana’s conditions, amidst ongoing disputes between the State government and opposition.
