Medigadda Barrage Vigilance Report Received

Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy announced today that the State government had received a vigilance report on the Medigadda barrage, and said that repair of the barrage would begin only after the government received the final report from the NDSA.

In response to comments made by BJP MLA Palvai Harish in the Assembly, Reddy mentioned significant flaws in the design, construction and maintenance of the barrages constructed under the Kaleshwaram project. For example, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had specified the use of sheet piles for construction, but secant piles were used instead, he said.

The minister also responded to queries on other issues in his address to the House. Expressing concern over the recent accident in the SLBC tunnel, he said that rescue operations were ongoing with the help of the top-tier experts that had been engaged. He also said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had reviewed the situation two days earlier and had instructed officials to expedite the rescue efforts.

"The tunnel accident is just a temporary setback. The State government is fully committed to the project, and is determined to complete the SLBC works as soon as possible," the minister said.

He also reiterated the government's commitment to constructing a dam at Tammidihati.

"The financial and technical evaluation of this project is currently underway, and construction will begin soon. The government is focusing on projects that ensure water supply to extensive agricultural areas at a minimal cost," he said.

He also announced that, for the first time in the country, the Chief Minister would introduce a scheme offering free supply of fine rice to white ration card holders on March 30.

"We will provide 6 kg of high-quality rice at no charge to each family member of a white ration card holder, a first-of-its-kind initiative in India. We welcome any suggestions or feedback from members regarding this scheme. Approximately 84% of the population will benefit from this initiative. Additionally, essential commodities will soon be accessible to all white ration card holders," he concluded.