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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Watered-down safety? Telangana's irrigation projects suffer from neglect
ADILABAD/NIZAMABAD/SANGAREDDY/NALGONDA: At a recent meeting convened by Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the Andhra Pradesh government agreed to take up repairs to the plunge pool of Srisailam dam. In Telangana too, several projects require immediate attention as their operation and maintenance are not being taken up regularly. For example, plastic covers are being used by Irrigation officials to protect the Kumuram Bheem project (Ada project), a medium irrigation project, in Asifabad district, since its sidewall was damaged three years ago. Lapse at Srisailam Though officials averred that there is no immediate danger to Srisailam, the delay in taking up the repairs is a cause for worry. A retired hydro-mechanical engineer and gates specialist, Kannaiah Naidu, who visited the Srisailam dam recently, pointed out issues with Gate No 10, which is leaking. Though the leakage is less than 10% and does not pose an immediate threat, he emphasised the need for urgent repairs. He also noted signs of rust, lack of lubrication and accumulation of silt on the gates. He noted that no paint has been applied to the gates since 2010, a critical maintenance lapse. In its report in January 2024, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) recommended that the possibility of constructing a downstream dyke or coffer dam be explored to raise the tail water on all the discharges in order to reduce further scour in the plunge pool keeping in view the high flood level fixed for powerhouses. Maintaining higher tail water level will help in reducing further scouring, the NDSA suggested.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Water Resources Department to establish separate wing to oversee dam safety and rehabilitation measures
The Water Resources Department (WRD) will establish a separate wing, State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO), with a dedicated chief engineer for effective management of dam safety and implementation of various initiatives, including dam rehabilitation and improvement projects in Tamil Nadu. The SDSO will be the 15th wing of the WRD, bifurcated from the Operation and Maintenance Wing, and would adhere to the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The State government recently issued an order, notifying the constitution of the SDSO headed by a chief engineer to adhere to the requirements of the Act and perform the functions specified by it. The Act specifies that States with more than 30 dams must have an SDSO. Therefore, the formation of a wing was essential to prioritise the safety of dams that are several decades old. Tamil Nadu has nearly 128 dams, including 90 under the WRD and 38 under the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco). Functions Sources in the WRD said that the functions of the SDSO could not be effectively carried out due to the lack of a functional head. This wing would be a monitoring and advisory body, which would coordinate with the State Dam Safety Committee and National Dam Safety Authority. It would have 25-30 members with expertise in hydrology, dam hydro mechanics, and dam safety engineering. The wing would perform various activities like inspection, vulnerability and hazard classification of the dams, recording dam failures and funds for maintenance and repairs. Moreover, some of the major tanks and water bodies would be brought under the dam category, warranting enhanced monitoring and special attention, sources said. Besides inspection of the dams once in five years, ongoing initiatives like DRIP-II being carried out with World Bank assistance would be expedited. The new wing would also coordinate with National Dam Safety Authority on rapid risk assessment of dams to evaluate potential impact during dam failure.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to present Kaleshwaram project findings amid opposition claims
HYDERABAD: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy is expected to make a powerpoint presentation on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, focusing on the structural damages reported at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, and the preliminary findings from the ongoing probe by the National Dam Safety Authority. The presentation is scheduled to take place at Praja Bhavan on Wednesday in the presence of MLAs, MLCs and others. The objective is to present factual information about the project in light of allegations raised by the opposition BRS, sources said. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad This follows a similar presentation made earlier by the minister on the Banakacherla project being undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh govt, which Telangana officials have warned could adversely affect the state's river water interests.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Save Kaleshwaram scheme and act against corruption
It's indeed a complex project comprising three barrages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla, 15 reservoirs, 21 pump houses and 1,531 km of gravity canals. The idea is to lift 240 thousand million cubic feet of Godavari water in all during the 120 days of flood season every year. It sounds like a boon for Telangana, which had always been deprived of adequate water for its farmers. The catch, though, is the power requirement of 9,000 MW once the project is operationalised, which translates to an estimated electricity bill of Rs 10,000 crore, or Rs 37,882 per acre. Several experts and opposition parties had objected to it, arguing that it was unviable and there were other economically feasible ways to achieve the stated objectives. But nobody had anticipated the project would run into a bigger hurdle: the structural damage to the Medigadda barrage and others caused by the floods of 2022 and 2023. Now, the question before everyone is whether KLIS has turned into a white elephant. The National Dam Safety Authority recommended that a rehabilitation design be drafted for the barrages, but also termed the damage to Medigadda Block 7 irreversible and warned against movement of structures. There were allegations of corruption, too, hanging over KLIS and the Congress government constituted a commission headed by Justice P C Ghose last year to probe alleged irregularities. It hit the headlines recently when KCR deposed before it. A parallel vigilance probe has called for action against 57 engineers. It is inevitable that politics will play out over the charges, as will court cases. But the main task of the government should be to salvage the project. This cannot be achieved without coordination with the Centre. Action must also be taken against those found guilty of corruption.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Sops for govt staff on Cabinet agenda
Hyderabad: The state Cabinet, scheduled to meet on Thursday, is expected to take some crucial decisions, including sops for the government employees, recruitment for pending vacancies in government jobs and women empowerment. It will also deliberate on the schedule for the launch of the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme aimed at transforming unemployed youth into entrepreneurs. The meeting will also discuss extensively the progress of the implementation of the flagship welfare schemes launched by the ministers recently. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has already sought a report on the implementation of the important schemes from the ministers. The progress of the works under Indiramma Indlu (housing) scheme, fine rice distribution at ration shops, implementation of the Bhu Bharati Act, distribution of solar pump sets to tribal farmers and the status of the verification of the applications received from the youth to provide financial assistance under Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme will be reviewed in the Cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister is of the view that it is the responsibility of the ministers concerned to successfully implement the flagship schemes and reports submitted by them will be helpful in speeding up the implementation process. Official sources said the Cabinet will also take an important decision on the implementation of the recommendations made by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the Medigadda and other barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. It will also focus on the constitution of other official committees with irrigation experts to implement the recommendations made by the dam safety authority. The development of the proposed Future City, Regional Ring Road (RRR) and new system for permits to construct buildings in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits were also included in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting. Sources said the Chief Minister would present a report on the financial challenges and seek the suggestions of his Cabinet colleagues to tide over the crisis. He would also ask the ministers to strive hard to achieve the revenue targets in their respective departments. The Cabinet Sub-Committee on resource mobilization already prepared a report on how to increase revenues by introducing a slew of reforms without putting an extra tax burden on the people in the current financial year.
