Godavari floods displaced CC blocks at Medigadda, truant construction agencies ignored requests
In November 2019, due to heavy rains in the upper catchment of the Godavari River, the Kaleshwaram project received huge floodwater. To manage the overflow, gates were opened to release water downstream.
HYDERABAD: As part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) three Barrages were built at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla between August 2016 and June 2019. The designs for these Barrages were approved by the Chief Engineer of the Central Designs Organisation in Irrigation & CAD Department.
The barrages were specifically designed to handle maximum flood discharges of 80,000 cumecs, 65,000 cumecs, and 57,000 cumecs respectively. However in November 2019, due to heavy rains in the upper catchment of Godavari River, the Kaleshwaram project received huge floodwater. To manage the overflow, gates were opened to release water downstream.
However, when the gates were closed afterward, it was discovered that the concrete covering, parts of the curtain walls, and CC blocks constructed on the downstream side were washed away. This led to a significant loss of Rs 180.39 crore, which was the amount spent on these construction efforts.
The Irrigation and Command Areas Development Department's study revealed that the structures were swept away by the flood surge because they weren't constructed to handle such force. The department approached the construction agencies to fix the damage, but the agencies declined, insisting they followed the approved designs and received quality certificates. After further observations, the department estimated a cost of Rs 476.03 crore for the restoration.
The Vigilance and Enforcement department in its report on February 13, 2024, at Medigadda, informed that the repeated requests of the I&CAD department were ignored by the L&T the construction company that built Medigadda Barrage.
18-05-2020
Requested the L&T to attend to the damages to the CC Blocks, Wearing Coat, etc.,
17-02-2021
• Restructuring CC Blocks and wearing a coat.
• Finishing of Original Works i.e. approach roads, and maintenance bays for gantry cranes on the diversion channel.
06-04-2022
To repair defects in CC Blocks, wearing coats, etc., and completion of original works.
28-04-2023
• Repairs of wearing coat upstream side and downstream side and displaced CC Blocks.
• Boiling of water at vents 17, 18, 19 & 20 of Block-7 downstream side.
• Removal of Debris.
The contract agreement mentioned that the rates paid to the contractor included the cost of construction materials. However, the contractor had to pay royalty charges for these materials, and the department agreed to reimburse this amount. In March 2020, the department refunded Rs 73.23 crore to the contractor.
Also Read: KTR demands repairs to sagged pillars of Medigadda barrage, instead of blaming BRS
As per the Government of India's guidelines, annual costs for projects should include maintenance expenses for headworks at one percent of their cost. Unfortunately, the Department didn't account for this, leading to underestimated annual costs. Considering the initial agreements for the three Barrages at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla, totaling Rs 4,550.40 crores, the maintenance cost for headworks should be Rs 45.50 crores.
The Department officials overlooked both constructive advice and critical reports throughout this extensive project. Surprisingly, the barrage was never emptied, a necessary step to assess flood impact near the structure in the water holding area, probably because lift irrigation projects were not considered as dams for such period checks.
Rise in construction cost
The Medigadda Barrage is a crucial part of the Kaleswaram project. Back in August 2016, the Telangana government assigned the construction of the Medigadda Barrage to a contractor for Rs 1849.31 crores. Originally, the agreement stated that the barrage should be finished within 24 months.
However, due to changes in the project, the construction cost rose to Rs 4,321.44 crore. This means that the cost increased by Rs 2,472.13 crore because of adjustments made during the work. Essentially, the government ended up with an additional burden of Rs 2,472 crore due to these changes in the middle of the construction.