Metro India News | Hyderabad 

A retired and noted senior irrigation engineer from Telangana, known for his active role during the statehood agitation and for advising political leaders across parties, has called for immediate steps to repair the damaged Medigadda barrage. He stressed that the Telangana government must urgently constitute a high-level technical committee, including international dam experts, to assess the damage and recommend effective restoration strategies.

Reacting to the recent NDSA (National Dam Safety Authority) report on the Kaleshwaram project, the engineer noted that while much energy had been spent on analyzing the reasons behind the Medigadda collapse, the priority now should shift toward rehabilitation and reconstruction using the latest engineering technologies. “Any engineering structure, no matter how big, can be repaired. Medigadda is no different,” he asserted.

Drawing parallels with Andhra Pradesh’s approach to the Polavaram project—where global experts were brought in to evaluate and suggest improvements—he urged Telangana to adopt a similar path. "Experts from the United States who have studied dam failures in Asia could provide valuable input. They should be consulted without delay," he said. The retired engineer also pointed out the urgent need to revive the Tummidihatti project, which had been neglected by the previous regime. With cooperation from the Maharashtra government, it could be completed in three years, he estimated.

Emphasizing the magnitude of investment made in the Kaleshwaram project, he warned against letting over Rs 1 lakh crore of public money go to waste. “With technical focus, resolve, and global expertise, this project can be revived and made operational again,” he stressed.