Ironically, Kaleshwaram is the pet project of KCR and his son KTR went to the extent of saying that KCR should have been awarded for such an engineering marvel.
But the truth seems to be far from it. The one-man PC Ghose Commission has also highlighted the role of former irrigation minister Harish Rao and finance minister Eatala Rajender.
The Commission also pointed out the lapses on the part of CMO secretary Smita Sabharwal and other ESEs and officials.
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The Commission said that no proper evaluation was made which was a 'blunder mistake'. It also pointed out that the construction of the Kaleshwaram barrage did not happen with the consent of the Cabinet.
The Commission found that KCR and his associates made their own decisions and showed CWC report as the benchmark.
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Harish Rao who has been crying hoarse about Revanth Reddy's lack of knowledge regarding projects, has been found to be behind the poor quality of Kaleshwaram barrage. PC Ghose found that the quality was marred due to the arbitrary decisions taken by then irrigation minister Harish Rao.
The Commission also found that though it was clear that the construction of Kaleshwaram would adversely impact Telangana's economy, the then finance minister did little to stop it. It will be considered as a sign of criminal intent, the Commission said.
The report also highlights the role of Smita Sabharwal, SK Joshi and other ECEs. PC Ghose mentioned the role of Smita Sabharwal in every step.
The Commission said that the karta, karma and kriya behind constructing Kaleshwaram barrage at Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram instead of Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Ethipothala project's Tummidihatta, was former CM KCR.
No proper designs were prepared nor any scientific investigations were done prior to starting the project. Similarly, even before the barrages were complete, completion certificates were issued, said the Commission.
Failure of construction norms, failure of designs, failure of maintenance and operation, failure in quality were behind faulty project, said PC Ghose.
Where the barrages are used to divert water, Kaleshwaram was the only project in the country used to store water, the Commission said. After the Dam Safety Act of 2021 came into existence, no reports regarding the barrage were prepared. India's standards were not followed during construction, the Commission said. Gates operation schedule was not followed, mentioned PC Ghose.
Now, the big question remains regarding who will go to jail as the Commission has clearly stated that various decisions amounted to criminal intent.
Sridhar RaaviSridhar is a highly experienced hand in Telugu politics, writing and analyzing political happenings in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. An IT engineer turned news junkie, Sridhar has a sharp eye for catching news as it unfo…