Govt. extends term of Ghose panel by two more months

State government extends inquiry into Kaleshwaram Project irregularities, with NDSA seeking more information for final report.

HYDERABAD

The State government has extended the term of the one-man Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice P.C. Ghose going into the alleged irregularities in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram Project by two more months, till February 28, 2025.

The existing term of the Commission ends on December 31 after it was extended thrice in June, August and November after it was constituted in March this year.

The Commission has already examined about 100 serving and retired engineers and about a dozen serving and retired bureaucrats. Besides, several outsiders also deposed before the Commission voluntarily so far, giving their views on the Kaleshwaram project, particularly the three barrages.

Recently, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) that examined the damage suffered by Medigadda Barrage, particularly sinking of some piers, along with washing away of the apron in the downstream of the structure from October 23 to 25 last year, has written to the Secretary (Irrigation) of Telangana seeking for submission inputs at the earliest.

It is stated that the State government has not submitted information/details sought either fully or partially on 14 out of the 26 points. The NDSA committee had submitted its preliminary report on November 1 last year with some recommendations and suggestions to maintain the status quo of the structures.

The NDSA has informed the State government that it would require at least two months time to prepare the final report after receiving all the information asked for.