Govt. to permit Kaleshwaram barrages’ operation only after experts’ nod: Uttam

Various tests recommended into the structural, technical, geological and geophysical aspects of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram project as part of their rehabilitation following damage suffered by them are nearing completion, and the focus is on the rehabilitation designs, Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

He said the designs were being prepared to enable safe restoration of the three barrages, and the government would not permit their operation until experts certified them as safe.

“Extensive investigations covering the soil, foundations, concrete and other structural components were carried out through premier national institutions, including the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and others,” the Minister said. He added that the testing process was almost complete and the findings were forwarded to IIT Bombay and its technical partners for preparing detailed repair and rehabilitation designs.