Title: Investigation Reveals Serious Flaws in Medigadda Barrage, Casts Shadow on Kaleshwaram Project
Hyderabad, February 17 – In a significant development, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report presented by Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy in the Telangana Assembly today shed light on critical deficiencies plaguing the Medigadda Barrage, a crucial component of the Kaleshwaram Project.
According to the report, the barrage’s failure stemmed from a combination of issues including planning, design flaws, poor quality control, and inadequate operation and maintenance (O&M) practices. Key findings point to structural failures, with the primary cause attributed to the settlement of the barrage raft and monoliths, along with construction deficiencies in sub-surface continuous secant piles and plinth connections.
Furthermore, the report highlighted a glaring lack of maintenance by dam owners since the barrage’s commissioning in 2019-20, exacerbating its deterioration over time. Despite repeated warnings from NDSA, pre- and post-monsoon inspections were not conducted, contributing to the barrage’s current state of disrepair.
The damaged block of the Medigadda Barrage may require extensive structural restoration, with the possibility of similar failures in other sections, necessitating the rehabilitation of the entire barrage. Urgent attention is also warranted for the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, which share similar design flaws and are showing signs of distress, raising concerns about their structural integrity.
The Vigilance Report further exposed lapses in sequential construction procedures, deviation approvals without proper inspections, and incomplete works, raising questions about the accountability of overseeing authorities.
Moreover, the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report highlighted alarming discrepancies in the cost and viability of the Kaleshwaram Project, with inflated benefit-cost ratios and potential financial irregularities in tender processes, casting doubts on the project’s economic viability.
The revelations underscore the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the causes of failure and accountability for lapses in planning, construction, and oversight. With the safety and functionality of vital infrastructure at stake, stakeholders must take prompt corrective actions to prevent further setbacks and ensure the integrity of future projects.
The CAG report on the Kaleshwaram Project reveals significant discrepancies:
- Projected cost: Rs 1,47,427.41 Crore (exceeding the initial estimate of Rs 81,911.01 Crore)
- Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR): Initially projected at 0.75 with the understated cost, but now stands at 0.52 with the revised cost, indicating economic unviability.
- Potential undue benefit to contractors: Estimated at Rs 2,684.73 Crore for supply and commissioning of equipment.
- Avoidable payment: Rs 1,342.48 Crore due to post-tender inclusion of price adjustment clauses.
- Hasty award of works: Seventeen works totaling Rs 25,049.99 Crore awarded before approval of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
- Energy demand: Peak demand during pumping season exceeds available energy, raising concerns about sustainability.
- Annual energy charges: Estimated at Rs 10,374.56 Crore, with an additional Rs 272.7 Crore for operation and maintenance costs.
- Construction oversight: Construction of Sri Komaravelli Mallanna Sagar reservoir proceeded without detailed seismic studies despite the presence of a deep-seated vertical fault.
These findings underscore the need for thorough scrutiny and accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.
