Assembly Showdown ahead, Govt to table findings in Legislature

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has emphasised on his government's commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission’s inquiry into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

The State Cabinet, which met here on Monday, approved the 665-page report, submitted on July 31, 2025, and plans to table it in the upcoming Assembly and Council sessions for open debate. “This is not a party report or government report but a report submitted by an esteemed judge with an excellent track record,” Revanth emphasized, underscoring the impartiality of the judicial inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh.

The commission’s 16-month investigation revealed significant flaws in the project’s planning, design, construction, and maintenance, particularly at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, which faced structural failures by October 2023. The report holds former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and key officials accountable for mismanagement, alleged corruption, and cost escalations in the Rs 1 lakh crore project. “The villain does not die first in a movie… major figures will face consequences in due course,” Revanth stated, signaling a systematic approach to ensuring accountability without political vendetta.

Addressing the media after conclusion of the Cabinet meet, Revanth stressed on the government’s resolve to act decisively on the commission’s recommendations. The upcoming Assembly and Council sessions will provide a platform for all stakeholders, including political parties, to share their views, ensuring a democratic process in determining the future course of action, he said.

The inquiry also highlighted procedural lapses and alleged irregularities in the project’s execution, including inflated cost estimates and inadequate technical oversight. The Congress government, having pledged action in its election manifesto, is prioritizing corrective measures to restore public trust. Revanth assured, “We will hold those responsible accountable through established systems, not vengeance,” reinforcing the government’s focus on justice and systemic reform. The commission’s findings, supported by inputs from engineers, contractors, and public stakeholders, provide a robust foundation for these efforts.

Moving forward, the Telangana government plans to implement the commission’s recommendations to prevent future project failures. This includes strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring rigorous adherence to technical standards in public infrastructure projects. “Our goal is to serve the people with integrity and ensure such lapses are never repeated,” Revanth said. The government’s swift action, including calling a Cabinet meeting within four days of the report’s submission, underscores its seriousness in addressing the Kaleshwaram Project’s failures and delivering on its promise of transparent governance, CM said.

Telangana's Costly Blunder: Uttam highlights Kaleshwaram failures

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy briefed the media on the findings of the Justice PC Ghose Commission, which investigated the damage to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, following the Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening. The commission, led by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, former Supreme Court judge and India’s first Lokpal, was constituted to probe the project’s planning, design, construction, and financial irregularities after structural failures were reported at Medigadda Barrage in October 2023.

“The commission’s 665-page report, submitted on July 31, clearly outlines significant lapses in the Kaleshwaram Project’s execution,” said Uttam, presenting the findings. The report identified critical flaws in planning, design, and construction, operation & maintenance at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, attributing failures to inadequate geotechnical studies and poor quality control. It criticized the decision to shift from the Pranahita-Chevella plan to Kaleshwaram, noting no logical or technical justification. “The claim of insufficient water at Pranahita was misleading, as the Central Water Commission confirmed 205 TMC of water availability,” minister quoted, referencing former Union Minister Uma Bharti’s statement.

The report highlighted procedural irregularities, including the absence of Cabinet approval for the Rs. 94,000 crore project, violating administrative protocols. “This lack of oversight by the then government led to severe financial and structural consequences,” Irrigation Minister Uttam stated. Financial mismanagement escalated costs from Rs. 35,000 crore for Pranahita-Chevella to Rs. 1.5 lakh crore for Kaleshwaram, with Rs. 64,000 crore in principal and Rs. 40,000 crore in interest as of 2025. The commission held the then Chief Minister, Irrigation Minister,Finance Minister and officials accountable for ignoring expert committee recommendations and issuing premature completion certificates.

“The Telangana government is committed to transparency and accountability,” Uttam emphasized, announcing further inquiries by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department. A high-level technical committee is assessing repair feasibility, with initial reports indicating significant reconstruction costs. “We will ensure the public is informed of these findings through media channels,” Irrigation Minister said, emphasising the government’s resolve to address the lapses and safeguard Telangana’s economic interests.