With monsoon approaching, the State government is in a serious dilemma in dealing with the damaged piers of the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram project even as the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has reported that the risk factor will continue even if restoration measures are taken up.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is said to have told Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his other Cabinet colleagues that the NDSA report has not guaranteed the continuing stability of the barrage even if repairs are taken up. The way ahead is a huge issue with monsoon approaching and pressure building up to store the water for lifting it to other barrages.
The danger was noticed in 2019 itself, according to the Minister, but the then government had chosen to ignore it. The Chief Minister, during a brief interaction with his Cabinet colleagues on Saturday, is said to have indicated that the issue needs urgent discussion given its seriousness and the recommendations of the NDSA to prevent further damage.
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