Telangana BJP Chief Accuses Congress Government of Delaying Kaleshwaram Rehabilitation

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president N. Ramchander Rao on Sunday alleged that the Congress government in Telangana has been neglecting the rehabilitation of three barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). In an open letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Rao claimed that the government's failure to implement recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has adversely affected irrigation and drinking water supply in the state.

Rao accused the government of prioritising “petty and dirty politics” over restoring the barrages, leading to hardship for farmers and the public due to the non-utilisation of Godavari waters. He acknowledged that the previous regime, led by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), was responsible for damage to the barrages but criticised the present government for not undertaking rehabilitation works despite the NDSA's suggestions. He asserted that the recommended 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 constituted a committee on June 30, 2026, comprising NDSA experts to guide the state, Rao maintained that the responsibility for restoring the damaged structures rests entirely with the state government as the project owner. He accused the government of attempting to shift responsibility and mislead the public.

Rao also cited expert opinions stating that water could be lifted from the Kannepally pump house without damaging the Medigadda barrage, as the process involves drawing water from the river flow without storing it at the barrage. He questioned the government's response to reports from the vigilance committee and the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission, alleging that no action had been taken on their recommendations. He further accused the state government of protecting those responsible for alleged irregularities.