Telangana CM leads inspection of imperiled Medigadda barrage
15 to 20 pillars of the Medigadda barrage succumbed to sinking on the night of October 21, 2023
image for illustrative purpose
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and MLAs, embarked on a critical visit to the Medigadda barrage on Tuesday. The barrage heralded as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, has been marred by structural concerns, with several pillars reportedly sinking last year.
According to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), 15 to 20 pillars of the Medigadda barrage succumbed to sinking on the night of October 21, 2023, during the tenure of the previous BRS government. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his entourage departed from the Legislative Assembly premises following its adjournment, aiming to assess the situation firsthand.
Addressing the assembly before the visit, Reddy disclosed plans for Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to present a comprehensive report on irrigation issues. The visit, he asserted, would enable newly elected MLAs to engage in informed debate regarding the Medigadda barrage's condition.
Highlighting allegations of irregularities and missing files, Reddy underscored the need for accountability and transparency. He challenged both the previous BRS government and opposition leader K Chandrasekhar Rao to elucidate the facts surrounding the barrage's deterioration.
In response, BRS MLA T Harish Rao accused the Congress of politicizing the issue for electoral gain. He urged the chief minister to also inspect reservoirs constructed during the BRS regime to grasp their agricultural benefits.
Meanwhile, the assembly passed a resolution affirming the state's stance against transferring control of shared projects on the Krishna river to the Krishna River Management Board without meeting Telangana's conditions, amidst ongoing disputes between the state government and opposition.
The NDSA's damning report from November reiterated the urgency of rehabilitating the Medigadda barrage, underscoring its pivotal role in the recent assembly elections. As political tensions escalate, the fate of Telangana's irrigation infrastructure hangs in the balance.
