CM Revanth Reddy enquires about NDSA interim report on Medigadda

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy reviewed the recommendations made by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) in their interim report on the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and discussed the necessary measures to be taken.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at the Secretariat on Saturday. Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, J. Krishna Rao, Konda Surekha, and the Chief Minister’s Adviser Vem Narender Reddy were also present.

The NDSA recently submitted an interim report on the repairs and temporary restoration of the damaged Medigadda and Sundilla barrages, which are considered the most important structures in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme.

Uttam Kumar Reddy explained the key points and recommendations made in the interim report to the Chief Minister and the ministers. The NDSA made it clear in 2019 that there was a persistent risk around the barrages and that the danger was not entirely mitigated even after repairs and restoration efforts.

In view of the monsoon season beginning in a month, the Chief Minister emphasised that the necessary measures had to be discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting. The government would decide whether to repair the damaged structures or consider alternative measures in consultation with the irrigation department.

The Chief Minister noted that these crucial issues could not be discussed in detail since the cabinet meeting scheduled for the afternoon had been postponed. He also stated that a field-level visit and inspection of the Medigadda and Sundilla barrages, as well as the pump houses, needed to be conducted soon.