CWC, NDSA Tell Telangana High Court State Decides on Kaleshwaram Operations

The Central Water Commission (CWC) and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) have informed the Telangana High Court in Hyderabad that decisions regarding the operation of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme's barrages rest with the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) and the state government's project authority, rather than with central agencies.

The submissions were made in affidavits filed in response to a writ petition by advocate Srirambhatla Sarath Kumar. The petitioner had sought court directions for a comprehensive technical inspection of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, alongside the Kannepally and Sundilla pump houses and other related project components, to assess if any portion could safely be operated on a restricted basis.

Responding to allegations that they had neglected statutory responsibilities and caused hardship to farmers seeking irrigation water, both central agencies denied the claims and urged the high court to dismiss the petition without issuing orders against them.

The NDSA submitted that while the Kaleshwaram Project is an essential irrigation asset for Telangana, addressing farmer hardship is a policy matter that lies strictly within the domain of the state government.

Detailing past interventions, the NDSA noted that it had formed a six-member committee in October 2023 after cracks and sinking piers were detected at the Medigadda barrage. Following an inspection, the committee reported in November 2023 that the structural damage stemmed from deficiencies in planning, design, construction quality, and operation and maintenance.