Telangana CM Proposes Special Legislative Session to Address Kaleshwaram Project Crisis

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced the government's readiness to organize a special Assembly session dedicated to examining the current state of the Kaleshwaram project. The Chief Minister extended an invitation to the Opposition Leader to engage in the deliberations, while also signaling openness to convening a joint sitting of both the Assembly and Legislative Council if deemed necessary.

Addressing the structural vulnerabilities of the project, Revanth Reddy emphasized that the government will refrain from initiating restoration activities until technical experts identify a solution that meets professional standards. He cautioned that commencing barrage filling operations without first addressing fundamental structural defects risks precipitating a catastrophic failure. The government's overarching objective, he stressed, is to salvage the initiative, which has consumed approximately ₹1 lakh crore in investments.

The Chief Minister's remarks came following an awareness programme held at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Praja Bhavan. At the gathering, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy presented a detailed analysis titled "Collapsed Kaleshwaram – From Failures to Reconstruction," which was attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Legislative Council members, Assembly members, and other elected officials.

Revanth Reddy suggested that the Opposition Leader formally petition the Assembly Speaker to schedule the debate, assuring that the administration would facilitate an orderly discussion. He proposed that the Speaker consider including experts, intellectuals, and the Advocate General as participants in the proceedings, contingent on the Speaker's consent.

The Chief Minister stated that while the government harbors no objection to opposition oversight of reconstruction efforts, such involvement would require the Opposition to first present a technically feasible solution endorsed by qualified professionals. Any such proposal, he maintained, must generate confidence among both technical specialists and the general population.

Revanth Reddy elaborated on the historical trajectory of the Pranahita-Chevella initiative and its subsequent transformation into the Kaleshwaram undertaking. He contended that the redesign process disregarded recommendations issued by an expert committee and resulted in a substantial escalation of project expenditures.

Drawing on assessments from the National Dam Safety Authority and various state and central regulatory bodies, the Chief Minister attributed the structural collapse to inadequacies in design specifications, construction standards, operational procedures, and maintenance protocols.

Revanth Reddy alleged that a government official had detected structural defects in the Medigadda Barrage during 2020 and had communicated these concerns to L&T regarding potential hazards. Despite these warnings, he claimed, the identified defects remained unresolved until the structure sustained severe damage in 2023.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the project lacked adequate subsidiary water distribution channels despite experiencing substantial financial overruns. He referenced assessments by the Comptroller and Auditor General, asserting that project costs had risen significantly without corresponding expansion in cultivable command area.

Revanth Reddy concluded by noting that the state continues to service loans incurred for the project while maintaining its welfare and developmental initiatives. He additionally announced that the government will extend life insurance protection valued at ₹5 lakh to every household on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.