Do you think Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam safe? Jalshakti Ministry asks Telangana

HYDERABAD: There are serious concerns over the maintenance of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar dams across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana apart from the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), said Sriram Vedire, chairman of the Central Government's Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers and advisor to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Sriram, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, highlighted potential dangers to the stability of the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar dams if immediate repairs were not undertaken.

He cited recent reports by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to support his claims.

Using a presentation, Sriram criticised the handling of irrigation projects by both the present and past Governments of the Congress apart from the BRS.

He highlighted the role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) in addressing water sharing disputes between the two Telugu states and ensuring dam maintenance.

According to Sriram, the NDSA identified a deep scour at the Srisailam dam, posing a risk of instability if left unaddressed.

He also noted the malfunctioning of drainage holes due to blockage, potentially impacting the dam's foundation.

Regarding the Nagarjunasagar dam, Sriram pointed out the halt in operation and maintenance activities by the Telangana irrigation department.

He attributed this to the occupation of the right side powerhouse and regulator by the Andhra Pradesh Government. "While the CRPF currently manages the area, permission for repairs is still pending," he said.

Sriram expressed concern over the delay in painting and greasing dam gates, crucial for dam safety before the monsoon season.

He emphasised the need for a swift resolution to operate the spillway gates, citing Telangana Government's reluctance as a potential dam safety issue.

He urged both the States to utilise the KRMB's mediation to resolve these issues and conduct mandatory pre-monsoon inspections as per the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Sriram also stressed the importance of telemetry equipment to monitor water usage by both states, highlighting "illegal" withdrawals reported by the KRMB.

He criticised the lack of funding (Rs 6.12 crore) from both states for installing these systems.

Regarding the ongoing problems with the KLIP, Sriram claimed that the NDSA had written to both the BRS and Congress governments five to six times requesting complete information.

"This includes details on irregularities identified by the Vigilance and Enforcement wing in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Medigadda Barrage, which were presented to the Legislative Assembly," he said.

Sriram emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that a committee formed by the NDSA would soon visit the State. He urged the Telangana Government to cooperate fully by providing all requested information, as over four months have passed since the incident occurred.