Hyderabad: The much-awaited final report from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the future of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme will be sent to the state government by the end of this month.
The government has been waiting for the report and is expected to take further steps based on the recommendations.
That the report will be submitted to the state was informed to irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy by Union Jal Shakti minister C.R. Patil at a meeting in Udaipur on Wednesday.
It is learnt that the NDSA has come to a conclusion that the problems at Medigadda barrage’s Block 7, portion of which cracked and sank, and those at Annaram and Sundilla which developed serious leaks under their foundations, were the result of poor design, using the barrages like dams — something for which they were not designed– with continuous and excess storage of water which exacerbated the problems, and lack of regular inspections and maintenance.
Among the likely solutions for the rehabilitation of Medigadda barrage, according to sources, are rebuilding the damaged Block 7 while strengthening its adjacent Blocks 6 and 8.
After the October 2023 incident at Medigadda where a portion of the barrage developed cracks and sank into the Godavari river bed, the then BRS government had asked the NDSA to inspect and suggest measures for repairs and rehabilitation of the barrage. However, the BRS government took issue with the initial findings that maintenance and design issues may have resulted in the disaster. The NDSA, later submitted interim recommendations including some regarding temporary repairs, to keep the barrage gates open, and a series of tests at all the three KLIS barrages.
The NDSA has submitted its final report to the Jal Shakti Ministry which will vet it and send it to the state.