BRS to visit Kaleshwaram project to explain its benefits, “expose” Cong allegations

BRS Working President KT Rama Rao accused the government of conspiring to defame the previous BRS regime on the project. He announced that his party would conduct a visit to ‘Chalo Medigadda’ to explain the “comprehensive nature” of the Kaleshwaram project and its benefits to the people, he said. About 150-200 BRS leaders, including MLAs, MPs and other leaders, will be part of the visit, he added.

BRS will clarify people’s doubts about the Kaleshwaram project, added KT Rama Rao. Claiming that there have been several instances of irrigation projects being damaged in India, he demanded that the Telangana government undertake repairs to the Medigadda barrage and provide water to farmers. The state government may hold an inquiry into the damage to the Medigadda barrage and take action accordingly, he said.

KT Rama Rao said that a “small injury” is shown through a magnifying glass. Noting that there was a problem with three of the 84 piers at one barrage (Medigadda), he said an attempt was being made to gain political mileage by making it appear as if the entire project would be washed away. The Kaleshwaram project consists of three barrages, 15 reservoirs and 21 pumping stations, Rama Rao said.

“We have doubts. Looking at the way (CM) Revanth Reddy spoke and the statements made, we feel that the (Congress) government has some conspiracy thoughts. We feel that the government has bad intentions , a conspiracy that the three barrages of Kaleshwaram should wash away,” he said. “If the three barrages are washed away, by leaving them without carrying out repairs, during the monsoon floods, we see a cheap way of thinking to say that these (structures ) built by (former CM and BRS President) KCR has been washed away,” he said.

The farmers of Telangana should see the “conspiracy” when a government says it does not want to carry out repairs (immediately) and the water in the barrages will not be filled, he said. The ruling Congress and BRS have been embroiled in a war of words over the damage to some piers of the Medigadda barrage. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) found in November last year that the Medigadda barrage was severely compromised, rendering it useless unless fully rehabilitated. CM Revanth Reddy said earlier this month that the Kaleshwaram project has become a “stain for Telangana society” due to damage to its barrages, cost overruns and poor planning during the previous BRS regime as shown in CAG reports, vigilance. etc.

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