‘KLIS to resume only after safety nod’

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday made it clear that the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) will not be operated until all rehabilitation works are completed and independently certified by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Addressing a press conference at Vijay Vihar near the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam after reviewing irrigation works with senior engineers, Uttam said the government would not compromise on public safety or engineering standards. He stressed that the barrages, built with a public investment exceeding Rs 1.1 lakh crore, would resume operations only after every structural deficiency is rectified and approved by the country's apex dam safety agencies.

The Minister warned that premature operation of the barrages could endanger nearly 40 downstream villages, besides Bhadrachalam town and its famous temple. He said the structures are currently being maintained in an unloaded condition with all gates kept open in accordance with NDSA recommendations.

Uttam said the rehabilitation process is being guided by scientific studies, including geotechnical investigations, non destructive testing, Ground Penetrating Radar surveys, drone inspections and over 100 boreholes. International experts, the Central Water and Power Research Station and the CWC are jointly reviewing rehabilitation designs.

Reviewing works at Nagarjuna Sagar, the Minister directed officials to prioritise dam maintenance, strengthen canal infrastructure, prepare estimates for essential repairs, line vulnerable canal stretches and cover urban canals to prevent waste dumping. He also inspected the Gullapothulagandi, Keshavapur and Nellikallu Lift Irrigation Schemes and reviewed the NSP Main Canal works, directing officials to expedite pending projects for farmers' benefit.