Mulugu, July 13 : Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka launched a scathing attack on the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party on Monday, blaming its unilateral decisions for the structural failures of the Kaleshwaram barrages. He alleged that the previous government completely sidelined expert engineers and wasted public money on poorly constructed irrigation structures that collapsed within just three years of completion.
The Deputy CM, along with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, visited the J. Chokkaro Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme on Monday. They reviewed the current water storage capacity and Godavari river inflows with top irrigation officials. Following a high-level review meeting about the ongoing works at Sammakka Barrage and the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme.
During the visit, Vikramarka stated that the state government is fully committed to utilizing Godavari river waters to the maximum extent possible. He explained that closing the gates at Sammakka Barrage has safely maintained a water level of 71 meters, enabling the continuous pumping of water through seven motors of the Devadula project. Addressing critics questioning the non-operation of the Kannepalli pump house, Vikramarka clarified that experts explicitly warned against closing the gates at Medigadda due to severe structural safety risks. He added that the government is strictly following the guidelines issued by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that the state successfully procured 84 lakh metric tonnes of grain last year without relying on Kaleshwaram water. He revealed that expert committees, along with IIT Bombay and military engineering experts, are currently conducting advanced technical tests to prepare repair reports for the damaged Medigadda, Sundilla, and Annaram barrages. Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized that the NDSA had advised against storing water at Medigadda due to design and construction defects originating during the previous government’s tenure, justifying the current focus on strengthening the Devadula project instead.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that a comprehensive action plan has been finalized for 22 reservoirs across the state. He criticized the previous administration for constructing massive, expensive barrages when river water could have been easily pumped from natural flows. Srinivas Reddy alleged that while older dams in the state remain structurally sound, recently built structures face serious quality issues. He reiterated that the government remains dedicated to providing drinking and irrigation water through the Devadula and Sitarama projects.
End……Kaleshwaram, BRS, Vikramarka, Barrage, Irrigation, Devadula, Godavari, Medigadda, NDSA, Reservoir, Defects, Action-Plan
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