Hans News Service Hyderabad

ChiefMinister A Revanth Reddy directed Irrigation officials to carry out repairs on the three barrages of the Kaleshwaram project expeditiously and resume operations of the barrages at the earliest. The officials were ordered to take up repairs and complete them as per the guidelines prescribed by the National Dam Safety Authority ( NDSA ).

On Thursday, the CM accompanied by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy held a review of status of 2 barrages - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla in Kaleshwaram project.

The Chief Minister instructed the authorities to formulate a specific action plan for the repairs and to ensure continuous monitoring of the work progress. All the agencies involved should also be alert, the Chief Minister made it clear that the tests and sample collection currently being conducted under the aegis of the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) must be completed before the onset of the monsoon season. A dedicated team comprising representatives from the Irrigation department, CWPRS, barrage construction agencies, and design consultants would also be created.

The members of the Central Water Commission (CWC) will be involved in every stage of the work.

Engineers brought to the Chief Minister's attention the necessity of conducting a comprehensive study of the entire 1.6-kilometer barrage at Medigadda and not merely the specific piers which got damaged.

The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a special action plan for drilling 500 bore wells near Medigadda and procure necessary machinery for this purpose. The designs for the required repairs should be prepared and a detailed schedule outlining the completion of the works till December should be prepared.

Revanth Reddy warned that delay in the execution of works will not be tolerated. The Chief Minister assured that required funds would be provided and suggested establishing a base camp at Medigadda. The CM would visit the site once the works commenced. Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, Irrigation Secretary Sridhar, CM's Secretary Manik Raj, and other senior officials from the Irrigation Department were also present.