(Feature Image: Medigadda barrage, part of the Kaleshwaram project, facing structural challenges due to design flaws. DC: File Photo)

One of the alarming news this week is the recommendation of irrigation experts and others to the Telangana govt is to prioritise Tummidihatti project, rather than spending limited available resources on repair of Kaleshwaram barrages: Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla, all part of the controversial and disaster hit Kaleshwaram Project. The reasoning behind the recommendation seems to be apparent difficulty to rehabilitation of the barrages with inherent unstable foundation on sand beds.

(Feature Image: 2019 image of Bhakra dam. Source: Punjab Kesari)

One aspect that stands out not so obviously in the ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana is the poor track record of BBMB in achieving operational safety of BBMB projects during floods, particularly in recent years, but also starting from way back in 1970s. That is why it sounds strange when in early May, BBMB is talking about need for water releases to safeguard the Bhakra dam’s structural integrity, when the dam is at its lowest level in the season. We see no such urgency or public statements by BBMB during the monsoons last few years when not only IMD had forecast heavy rainfall in the catchment, but also there was no action by BBMB even when catchments had already received heavy rainfall.

(Feature Image: Alarming situation at Srisailam Dam, says Telangana; Warns NDSA of potential catastrophe. Source: Telangana Today, Feb. 2025)

The visit of chairman of National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to Srisailam and Nagarjunsagar dams on Krishna River belonging to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has brought out very worrying reports. These are two of the largest dams in India. This is symptomatic of the situation of dam safety across the country.

Srisailam dam was damaged during unprecedented floods in first week of Oct 2009 with washing away large amount of cement concrete from the apron and plunge-pool of the dam, but the repair work has still not been taken up even though there is risk to the stability of the dam. The discussion is still about source of funds and NDSA chairman has asked AP to initiate some work using AP’s own funds and get the expenses reimbursed afterwards. This is a hardly confidence inspiring situation. Any mishap on this project can start a chair reaction that can engulf all projects right upto Krishna barrage at Vijaywada.