Sagging of Medigadda identified in 2022, L&T ignored concerns, Govt might drop 3 TMC from Kaleshwaram

HYDERABAD: Sand erosion similar to the seepage identified in the Annaram (Saraswathi) barrage of the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) on November 1, 2023, was first identified at the Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage on the confluence of Godavari and Pranahita in 2022.

Sagging was identified at the seventh block and 17 to 20 vents of Medigadda in October 2023. Following that the members of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) visited the project and in its report blamed the State Irrigation and Command Area Development Department for not regularly taking up maintenance of the barrage.

The report said that the raft foundation of the barrage underwent a shift due to a phenomenon called ‘sand boiling’ meaning when the weight from the high river water pushes down (pressure) on the soil layers under the levee. A hollow pipe-like structure gets formed under the raft foundation from the heavy water density area to the lower density side creeping under the raft foundation making the barrage unstable.

The project engineers dashed a letter to contractor L&T in April 2022. At that time the Defect Liability Period (DLP) of two years was valid. Similarly, the KLIP engineers mentioned pending and deficient works such as CC Blocks, Launching Apron, and Raft foundation. However, there was no clarity as to why the project authorities issued a work completed certificate to the contractor when such important works were left unattended.

In addition to the Medigadda barrage works the L&T was given works such as a guest house, and quarters for the staff in 2016. Now the Contractor was found raising the issue of the expiry of the DLP period and the I&CAD Department was trying to push the onus of repairs to L&T. They pointed out that they had been repeatedly asking the engineering a construction major to attend to pending works. The I&CAD wrote letters to L&T in May 2020, February 2021 and April 2022.

Congress Government might drop 3rd TMC proposal

With the Union Jal Shakti Ministry not in the mood to approve the 3rd TMC proposal of the Telangana Government, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy might even drop the idea.

The BRS Government which sought to enhance the KLIP capacity to 3 TMC and started expansion works by adding additional pumping capacity, sent a modified Detailed Project Report (DPR) for clearance to the CWC.

However, the Centre in a Gazette notification on June 15, 2021, handed over the management of Rivers Krishna and Godavari to the concerned boards. The Centre also kept the 3rd TMC component in the unapproved list. The then BRS Government argued that the 3rd TMC could not be treated as a separate matter. The CWC at that time gave time to the Government to submit reports that the 3rd TMC was not an added component. As a result, the Government submitted a modified DPR to the CWC and the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) two years ago.

Meanwhile, the AP Government and other interested parties also moved to Court against the 3rd TMC forcing the Jal Shakti Ministry to order status quo on the project. The BRS Government had trouble satisfying the Court that the 3rd TMC was not an added feature to the KLIP.