Medigadda may require end-to-end diaphragm wall as part of its rehabilitation, says Minister

Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy speaking at a meeting at Huzurnagar in Suryapet district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement The rehabilitation of Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is likely to include construction of an end-to-end diaphragm wall, Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday.Talking to mediapersons at Huzurnagar in Suryapet district, he said a diaphragm wall could be constructed across the entire width of the barrage to provide comprehensive protection to the foundation. Strengthening and extension of downstream stilling basins would also be needed for all the three barrages — Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla.The stilling basins located downstream of the barrages were also expected to be strengthened and extended to reduce the velocity of floodwaters and improve energy dissipation. These interventions were being considered based on the preliminary examination of the extensive technical tests conducted at the three barrages.“The proposal under consideration is to construct a diaphragm wall from one end to the other at Medigadda barrage. The existing stilling basins may also have to be strengthened and extended to control the velocity of floodwaters,” the Minister said.However, the final rehabilitation designs were yet to be submitted by the agencies comissioned by the government — IIT Bombay and engineering consultancy AFRY India. He said the soil, concrete and foundation tests recommended by the National Dam Safety Authority were nearing completion. The design agencies were now examining the findings to determine the precise structural interventions required at each barrage.“The final design report is expected within two or three weeks. We are planning to begin the rehabilitation works in November or December and complete them by June 2027, before the next monsoon,” he said. Restoring the damaged barrages was technically more complex than constructing a new structure, but the government had decided to proceed with their repair, rehabilitation and rebuilding in the larger interests of Telangana.On the use of Godavari water, he stated that a record 340 tmc ft was used in 2025-26, though faulty Kaleshwaram barrages had deprived the State the ability to utilise any water from them, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated. Published - September 27, 2026 08:13 pm IST