Telangana BJP chief accuses Congress govt. of delaying Kaleshwaram rehabilitation

BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao on Sunday alleged that the government’s failure to implement the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for restoring the project has adversely affected irrigation and drinking water supply in the State.

The Congress government is neglecting the rehabilitation of the three barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) for “petty and dirty politics”, resulting in hardship for farmers and the public due to the non-utilisation of Godavari waters, he said in an open letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

While holding the previous regime led by BRS responsible for damage to the barrages, he criticised the present government for not taking up rehabilitation works despite the NDSA’s recommendations. He claimed that the suggested measures could have been completed within one or two working seasons.

Referring to the Chief Minister’s reported remarks that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti had constituted a committee on June 30, 2026, comprising NDSA experts to guide the State in rehabilitating the barrages, Mr. Rao maintained that the responsibility for restoring the damaged structures rested entirely with the State government as the project owner. He accused the government of attempting to shift responsibility and mislead the public on the issue.

Mr. Rao also cited observations by experts that water could be lifted from the Kannepally pump house without causing damage to the Medigadda barrage, as the process involved drawing water from the river flow without storing it at the barrage.

Questioning the government’s response to reports of the vigilance committee and the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission, he alleged that no action had been taken on their recommendations. He further accused the State government of protecting those responsible for the alleged irregularities.