The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report on the collapse of the seventh block of the Medigadda Barrage in the Kaleshwaram project has brought to light alarming facts. It has concluded that construction quality defects are the cause. It has been revealed that flaws in the design have come to light and that dangerous conditions have arisen due to defects in the construction of spillway gates.
It has been concluded that the main reason is that the water control structures during the construction of the barrages did not meet the appropriate quality standards. On the request of the state government, the Ministry of Jal Shakti constituted a National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) committee in March 2024 on the Medigadda issue. This committee examined the design and construction of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
The committee identified construction safety defects in all three of its inspections. It found cracks, bends and hydro-mechanical failures at Block-7 of Medigadda Barrage. It said that similar structural problems such as seepage, seepage and concrete cracks were found in Annaram and Sundilla barrages. These three barrages built on the Godavari River are crucial for the Kaleshwaram project.
Water is lifted from Medigadda to Annaram, from there to Sundilla barrage and finally to the Yallampalli reservoir. The barrages were commissioned in 2019. It was revealed that there are suspicious holes inside several barrages, which, although not dangerous at present, could cause accidents in the future. The committee concluded that these three barrages require a comprehensive rehabilitation design.
It suggested that analysis of the soil conditions there, hydraulic modelling and mathematical modelling are required to act as a solid technical basis for future actions. The committee has suggested that some urgent measures and inspections be taken to temporarily protect the structures before the monsoon.
Some key usage conditions were not taken into account in the hydraulic model studies, as well as design flaws have come to light. It has been stated that dangerous conditions have arisen due to defects in the construction of spillway gates.
Meanwhile, the Kaleshwaram Project Inquiry Commission is scheduled to submit its report to the state government in May. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, who arrived at the commission office on Thursday, has started the final stage of the inquiry process.
It is believed that a report consisting of about 400 pages has been prepared with the information received through the inquiries conducted so far. With this, it is believed that almost 90 percent of the report is complete. It seems that the summary of some key cases that have taken place in the country is also being considered in the preparation of the final report.