An expert team comprising National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) chairman Anil Jain recently visited the Srisailam Project recently and expressed displeasure over the delay in security works going on. NDA made recommendations on the works to be taken up immediately. Previously also, the NDSA visited the project Once in 2022 and once in 2024 and made several recommendations. 

The huge pit formed in the project extends deeper than the spillway foundation. The cylinders that prevent erosion are in a dilapidated condition. This will be discussed in a review meeting to be held by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu soon. Various other security works of the project will also be discussed on the occasion. While dam safety experts say there is no danger at the moment, steps are needed to prevent the pit from expanding. 

There is severe erosion due to the heavy flow of water over the spillway. Gradually the pit is growing. The problem was identified at an early stage in 1984. It was intended to ensure that there was no damage to the Spillway Foundation. It was then decided to install steel cylinders. Accordingly, 62 cylinders were filled with concrete and installed between 1985 and 1987. 

Even though 20 of those cylinders were destroyed, they were not replaced. Experts are of the view that replacing the damaged cylinders with new ones will prevent the plunge pool from expanding to some extent up to the spillway foundation. Though the first phase of the works was proposed to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores under “Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (drip)”, no progress was made. Some work is currently underway.