Telangana Targets June 2027 Revival of Kaleshwaram Barrages: Uttam Kumar Reddy
The Telangana government has set a target of restoring the damaged barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) by June 2027 , with detailed restoration designs expected to be finalized by September this year , Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Wednesday.
Addressing the media after a high-level review of ongoing investigations and technical assessments at the project site, the minister said the state has adopted a comprehensive scientific approach to revive the barrages, which have remained at the center of scrutiny since structural issues emerged in 2023.
According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, nearly 80-90% of the preliminary studies have already been completed. These include hydrological assessments, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys , geotechnical borehole investigations and other technical evaluations aimed at identifying the causes of the damage and determining the most effective restoration strategy. The remaining studies are expected to be completed by the first week of July.
Based on the findings, engineers will prepare detailed restoration plans that will be submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for approval. The minister said restoration work is expected to begin in October or November after the technical designs are finalized and necessary clearances are secured. The government aims to make the Medigadda Barrage fully operational by June 2027.
The restoration programme is being supported by a team of national and international experts. Global engineering consultancy AFRY and IIT Bombay have been tasked with developing rehabilitation designs, while the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune , is conducting model studies to assess the structural and hydraulic requirements of the project. To oversee the exercise, the government has appointed technical expert Colonel Prithviraj Mehrani as chairman of a dedicated Revival Coordination Team .
The Kaleshwaram project, one of the world's largest lift irrigation schemes, has faced significant challenges since damage was detected at the Medigadda Barrage in October 2023. Concerns over the condition of the Annaram and Sundilla barrages subsequently triggered investigations by multiple agencies, leading to an extensive review of the project's design, construction and maintenance practices.
While emphasizing that the government does not wish to politicize the issue, Uttam Kumar Reddy said it was important to inform the public about the financial and technical implications of decisions taken in the past. He noted that the earlier Congress government had launched the Pranahita-Chevella Project with an estimated cost of ₹38,000 crore and completed nearly one-third of the work by 2014. Had the project continued in its original form, it could have been completed by 2016-17 and provided irrigation to around 16 lakh acres , he said.
The minister alleged that changes introduced by the previous BRS government significantly escalated project costs. While expenditure has already crossed ₹1 lakh crore , estimates cited by the minister suggest the overall cost could eventually rise to ₹1.45 lakh crore . Despite the massive investment, he claimed that the three barrages have remained unusable since December 2023, limiting the project's ability to store and distribute water effectively.
At the same time, the state government is continuing investigations through a Judicial Commission and the National Dam Safety Authority while advancing restoration efforts. Officials believe the ongoing scientific studies will help address not only the visible structural damage but also any underlying engineering and foundation-related issues.
With farmers and stakeholders closely monitoring the project's future, the restoration of the Kaleshwaram barrages is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Telangana's irrigation network and restoring confidence in one of the state's most ambitious infrastructure initiatives.