The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has reportedly identified several deficiencies in the Medigadda Barrage, which is part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, from planning to operation. According to reliable sources, it has suggested that the 7th block should be completely removed and rebuilt.
It is understood that the responsibility of preparing the design required to rebuild this block should be entrusted to the Central Water Commission (CWC). The expert committee formed under the leadership of former CWC Chairman Chandra Shekhar Iyer submitted its report two weeks ago, and it is reported that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti discussed it three days ago.
It is learnt that Chandra Shekhar Iyer explained the highlights of the report to the NDSA, Jal Sangha and Jal Shakti officials through a presentation. The NDSA will send this report to the state government for further action.
In October 2023, the Medigadda barrage collapsed and some piers were damaged. An NDSA expert committee examined it and reported that it was damaged due to failures in planning, design, quality control, operation and maintenance.
On the request of the government, the NDSA appointed an expert committee headed by Chandra Shekhar Iyer on March 2, 2024. It said that the barrage should be studied, its condition should be assessed and what measures should be taken should be recommended. Along with Medigadda, Annaram and Sundil were also included in the study.
This committee gave a preliminary report on May 1 last year. It said that the gates should be kept open without storing water in the barrages and that several tests should be conducted. After all the tests regarding Medigadda were completed and the results came out, a final report was given with several recommendations.
According to relevant sources, the condition of the barrages, reasons for the failures and further steps to be taken were included in this report. They said there were flaws in design, construction, maintenance and quality control. It seems that the report states that Medigadda 7th block will have to be demolished and rebuilt.
