KCR Appears Before Kaleshwaram Inquiry Commission

BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today appeared before the Kaleshwaram Project Inquiry Commission at B R K Bhavan in Hyderabad.

The P C Ghosh Commission questioned him for about 50 minutes as the 115th witness in the case, posing several queries related to the Kaleshwaram project.

After the session, KCR greeted his supporters and party workers before leaving the venue, accompanied by former minister Harish Rao.

During the hearing, the Commission asked KCR 18 questions. He was asked who made the decision to construct the dams. In response, KCR elaborated on the project's reengineering and said that the construction was carried out with the approval of the State Cabinet and government. He added that the project was executed based on WAPCOS' recommendations and that all necessary permissions were duly obtained. He submitted a book containing comprehensive details of the Kaleshwaram project to the Commission.

The Commission also inquired about the formation of the Kaleshwaram Corporation. KCR replied that it was established to manage funds efficiently in the newly-formed State and to expedite the completion of the project.

On the topic of water storage in the barrages, he said that it was a technical matter handled by engineers.

He explained that changes to the construction sites of the barrages were based on technical assessments and WAPCOS reports. He also said that the Maharashtra government had opposed the construction of a barrage at Tummidihatti, prompting the decision to shift the location.

He added that since there was potential to lift 230 TMC of water at Medigadda, the State government allocated Rs 280 crore for the project's maintenance.

KCR also handed over a copy of GO 45 and the Operations and Maintenance manual to the Commission.