Uttam meets NDSA Chief on Kaleshwaram project

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana government has decided to undertake the restoration of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, part of the Kaleshwaram project, through a fully scientific and transparent approach. The long-term objective is to ensure that the barrages remain structurally safe and functional for the next 50 to 100 years. State Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy met National Dam Safety Authority Chairman Anil Jain in New Delhi on Friday to review the restoration roadmap and ongoing technical assessments.

During the meeting, the Minister briefed the Chairman on precautionary measures being taken to ensure that past structural deficiencies are not repeated. The Chairman expressed satisfaction over the comprehensive testing processes currently underway under expert supervision and indicated that he would soon visit the barrages for a field inspection.

As part of the restoration process, the government has engaged specialized expert agencies for design and testing. The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) has been tasked with conducting pre-design studies and technical evaluations. A series of advanced investigations, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scanning, drone surveys, borehole drilling, and geotechnical and geophysical tests, are being carried out to assess the structural integrity and foundation conditions of the barrages.

To streamline coordination among multiple agencies, the government has constituted a Central Coordination Committee comprising officials from the Irrigation Department, CWPRS representatives, design consultants, and other technical experts. The committee will oversee timely execution of tests, data sharing, and inter-agency coordination, while ensuring adherence to national technical standards. There are also plans to include additional expert panels if required.

The assessment will focus on critical components such as foundations and cutoff walls. Based on the findings, design agencies will prepare revised restoration plans, which will be submitted to the National Dam Safety Authority for approval and guidance. The Authority, a statutory body, is responsible for monitoring dam safety across the country.

The government aims to complete all testing and finalize designs within the next three to four months, ahead of the monsoon. Restoration works are expected to commence after the rainy season.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that the restoration will strictly follow scientific standards, with support from national agencies and experts, including those from IIT Mumbai. He also stated that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will soon conduct field visits to review the progress.

Centre urged to procure 30 LMT of boiled rice from Telangana

New Delhi: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi to procure 30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of boiled rice from Telangana in the Yasangi (Rabi) season.

The Chief Minister brought to the attention of Pralhad Joshi that the paddy harvested during the rabi season is suitable for milling of boiled rice.

Revanth Reddy briefed the Union Minister about the supply of Custom Milling Rice  (CMR) with statistical data over the past 6 Yasangi seasons and boiled rice.

The Chief Minister, along with Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, met with Union Minister Joshi at his residence in New Delhi on Friday morning.

During the meeting, Revanth Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy reminded the Union Minister that the officials of the ministry of  Food and Public Distribution suggested to increase boiled rice supply in view of the  growing demand across the country. 

The Chief Minister informed Joshi  that 90 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of paddy is expected to be produced in Telangana during the current Yasangi season and the harvested crop is suitable for milling into parboiled rice.

Revanth Reddy said that Telangana is  ready to supply a total of 30 LMT of parboiled rice (with 5 per cent broken rice content) and 5 LMT of raw rice (with 10 per cent  broken rice content) from  the Yasangi harvest.

In a quick response, Pralhad Joshi approved in-principle the proposal of supply of boiled rice submitted by the Chief Minister in the meeting.

Further, Revanth Reddy appealed to Pralhad Joshi to immediately release outstanding dues of  ₹1,468.94 crore, pertaining to the procurement of additional levy from the 2014-15 Kharif (monsoon) season.

The Chief Minister and the Civil Supplies Minister apprised the Union Minister that Telangana is the largest paddy producing state and also deposited money in the farmers accounts within 48 hours of the procurement of paddy.

In view of financial challenges facing by the state civil supplies department, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to expedite the release of  pending arrears. 

Pralhad Joshi was also requested to resume the distribution of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) immediately. The fortified rise was distributed through schools, hostels and ICDS centers to prevent anemia and nutritional deficiencies among children. The Chief Minister said that the scheme was stopped recently.

State government special representative in Delhi A.P. Jithender Reddy, Secretary (coordination) Advait Singh, and officials from the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution were present in the meeting.