Hans News Service Huzurnagar

IrrigationMinister N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that corruption and negligence by the previous BRS government are responsible for the current condition of the Kaleshwaram Project.

Speaking to the media on Friday after inspecting several development works in Huzurnagar, the Minister said decisions during the project’s construction were driven by commissions rather than public interest. He further alleged that even the decision to remove Dr BR Ambedkar’s name from the project and rename it as the Kaleshwaram Project was motivated by the same intention. He also referred to allegations made by former BRS MLC K Kavitha regarding alleged commissions worth Rs 1,400 crore.

Uttam criticiSed former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, stating that even his own party leadership had sidelined him. Although the Thummidihatti Project was initiated, it was never completed.

The Minister alleged that the Kaleshwaram Project is facing serious problems because construction was carried out on sandy terrain without giving due importance to soil tests and the recommendations of technical experts.

He claimed that despite repeated warnings from officials of the National Dam Safety Authority and other engineering experts, the previous government ignored them. According to him, construction was undertaken at a location different from the one recommended by experts solely due to commission-related interests.

He further said that while experts have now advised against storing water in the dam, BRS leaders are misleading the public with false statements. Clarifying the irrigation situation, he stated that Suryapet district is currently receiving water through the SRSP Stage-II project and not from the Kaleshwaram Project.

The Minister pointed out that since the Congress government assumed office, not a single release of water has been made from the Kaleshwaram Project. He accused the previous BRS government of burdening Telangana with massive debts, failing to complete major irrigation projects, and deceiving the people. He said it was inappropriate for the BRS to criticize the present Congress government under such circumstances.

Uttam Kumar Reddy assured that based on the recommendations of the Dam Safety Authority, the government would conduct the necessary soil investigations and undertake all required works in accordance with technical standards.