Submits documents, justifies redesign, says KLIP was cabinet approved

metro india news  I hyderabad

Former Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)President K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday appeared before the one-man Judicial Commission probing alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Judge Justice P.C. Ghose.

The high-security deposition session, lasted approximately 50 minutes, saw the 71-year-old former CM being questioned on key aspects of the multi-crore irrigation project, including the decision to redesign and re-engineer the original Pranahita-Chevella project conceived by the previous Congress-led united Andhra Pradesh government. Citing health reasons, KCR requested for an in-camera inquiry instead of an open hearing. The Commission accepted his request and requested BRS leaders and the media to vacate the hall.

KCR reportedly responded in a calm and manner to around 18 main and supplementary questions put forth by the Commission. He explained that the decision to shift the project location from Tummidi Hatti to Medigadda was based on a survey conducted by WAPCOS, an internationally reputed engineering consultancy. He added that the Maharashtra government had expressed reservations about the Tummidi Hatti site, influencing the relocation decision.

It is learnt that the former Chief Minister emphasized that all administrative approvals, financial sanctions, and project planning decisions were taken in consultation with the State Cabinet. He stated that engineering-related decisions, such as location changes and water storage strategies, fell within the purview of the technical experts and project engineers.

To support his claims, KCR submitted books and key documents, including a book titled “Kaleshwaram – The Lifeline of Telangana”, as well as records related to project execution, operations, and maintenance. He reiterated that the BRS government had adhered to proper procedures and obtained all necessary approvals for the project.

KCR became the 115th individual to depose before the Commission, which has been investigating technical, financial, and administrative aspects of KLIP for over a year. Prior to KCR, several high-profile witnesses had appeared, including BRS MLA and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, and BJP MP and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender.

Security was heightened in the vicinity of BRKR Bhavan, with barricades and a significant police presence. After completing his testimony, KCR briefly greeted supporters outside the venue before proceeding to Yashoda Hospital in Somajiguda to visit MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, who was recovering from a leg injury.