Hyderabad, September 2, 2025 — In a major development, the Telangana government has decided to hand over the investigation into alleged irregularities in the construction of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision came after extensive discussions in the State Legislative Assembly, following the submission of a detailed inquiry report by the Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission.
Background: Commission of Inquiry
The state government had constituted a judicial commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose to probe charges of corruption, financial mismanagement, and irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. The commission submitted its report on July 31, 2025, highlighting multiple violations. The State Cabinet, in its meeting on August 4, 2025, approved the report and resolved to table it in the Assembly for wider discussion.
Key Findings of the Ghose Commission
The commission’s 665-page report pointed to serious lapses, recommending criminal proceedings in several instances. Its findings included:
- Gross negligence and malafide intent in project execution.
- Suppression of facts and manipulation of records.
- Financial irregularities suggesting possible corruption.
- Failure to prepare a comprehensive and viable project plan.
Justice Ghose categorically observed that the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages was marred by structural flaws and administrative failures.
Supporting Reports: National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) conducted its own evaluation of the Medigadda barrage after the alarming sinking of its piers. Its report revealed that the failures were a result of:
- Poor planning and faulty design.
- Inadequate quality control and monitoring.
- Lapses in construction supervision.
The NDSA underlined that the barrage collapse was preventable and stemmed from systemic mismanagement rather than natural factors.
Inter-State and Multi-Agency Dimensions
The Kaleshwaram project, one of the world’s largest lift irrigation schemes, involved multiple stakeholders including:
- Central agencies like WAPCOS (Water and Power Consultancy Services) in project design.
- Financial institutions like Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) for funding.
- State-level departments overseeing implementation.
Given the inter-state water-sharing implications, financial complexities, and the role of central institutions, the state government emphasized that only a federal investigating agency like the CBI would be competent to conduct a fair and exhaustive probe.
Assembly Debate and Government’s Stand
Presenting the report in the Assembly, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy outlined the project’s trajectory — from the controversial shift of the project site from Thummidihatti to Medigadda, to the eventual failure of the barrage piers, and the setting up of the Ghose Commission.
Following a short-duration discussion permitted by the Speaker, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy addressed the House, reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency:
“The Ghose Commission has revealed a series of alarming irregularities. With the NDSA confirming structural and planning failures, there is no room for ambiguity or doubt. Considering the complexity of the issues involved, the government has resolved to entrust the matter to the CBI. Our aim is to ensure a fair, impartial, and credible investigation into the misuse of public money.”
Political and Public Implications
The decision is expected to have far-reaching political implications, as the Kaleshwaram project was the flagship irrigation scheme of the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. Opposition parties have been alleging large-scale corruption in the project for years. By transferring the case to the CBI, the current Congress-led government has sought to distance itself from the scandal and demonstrate its commitment to accountability.
Next Steps
With the Assembly resolution passed, the Telangana government will formally notify the CBI, which is expected to register a case soon. The probe will likely cover:
- Project design and engineering lapses.
- Tendering and awarding of contracts.
- Financial irregularities and diversion of funds.
- Role of state and central agencies in oversight failures.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant legal, political, and financial ramifications, not just for Telangana but also for inter-state water-sharing arrangements and central agencies involved in large-scale infrastructure projects.