‘KLIS barrage rehabilitation to begin by mid-November’

Works on Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla to be completed before 2027 monsoon

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that comprehensive rehabilitation of the three Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) barrages—Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla—will begin by mid-November 2026 and wrap up before the 2027 monsoon.

Reviewing proposals with senior irrigation officials in Hyderabad, the Minister confirmed that design plans are finalized to restore structural safety and operational reliability. Prepared by the project designer, the rehabilitation plan focuses on strengthening foundations via grouting, extending stilling basins, and building new cut-off walls to resolve past issues with under-seepage, foundation stability, and energy dissipation.

The strategy incorporates recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). Designs are currently undergoing computational fluid dynamics modeling at the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, to verify hydraulic efficiency. They will be submitted to the Central Water Commission’s Technical Oversight Committee in New Delhi on October 5 for final expert appraisal.

Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to complete preparatory tasks, including cost estimates and contracting frameworks, to allow immediate tendering once technical clearances arrive. He emphasized that the execution will feature strict quality control, independent testing, and mandatory adherence to NDSA guidelines. Rejecting temporary fixes, he asserted that the government is prioritizing long-term, durable repairs.

"The three barrages will be operated only after the rehabilitation works are completed and the requisite safety clearances are received from national authorities," the Minister stated, reaffirming that structural safety will not be compromised. The review meeting was attended by senior Irrigation and Command Area Development Department officials and project engineers.