India

CM Orders Restoration of Kaleshwaram Barrages to Start in December

By R. Ravikanth Reddy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has instructed officials to begin restoration of the damaged Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram project in December, following the recommendations of national‑level experts and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). He asked that final approvals be secured by the end of November. The CM also urged ministers to counter misleading propaganda about water availability at Medigadda. In a cabinet discussion, it was noted that to lift water from Medigadda to the Yellampalli reservoir, the gates of Annaram and Sundilla would normally need to be closed, but the NDSA advised keeping them open because of structural defects. Reddy highlighted the government’s use of alternative lift irrigation schemes to utilize Godavari water, noting that the average water lifted through the Devadula scheme rose from 9.57 tmc ft annually under the previous government to 18.13 tmc ft in the last three years—a 89 % increase. By October, 16.71 tmc ft had been lifted through Devadula and 8.10 tmc ft through Sitarama, totaling 24.81 tmc ft. He also remarked that the state would have avoided drought difficulties had the previous government built a barrage at Tummidihatti and completed the Pranahita project, which could have supplied water to Yellampalli at lower cost. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials presented the restoration plan, with proposals estimating a cost of approximately ₹4,193 crore. Under the plan, construction agencies would cover defect rectification costs, while the government would fund additional works. Published – November 05, 2026 09:20 pm IST