Pranahita’s first flows of the year begin, but water continues to flow down untapped

Farmers in the ayacut are almost certain that they might be going without irrigation support even for Kharif 2025

Hyderabad: The Pranahita river, a major tributary of Godavari, has begun its first flows of the year, with over 3,500 cusecs of water reaching the Medigadda barrage following early rains in the catchment. Despite the rising influx, the water is flowing downstream unharnessed. The pumping units at Medigadda, left idle for the fourth consecutive crop season, even the upstream barrages of Annaram and Sundilla remain bone dry.

Farmers in the ayacut are almost certain that they might be going without irrigation support even for Kharif 2025. The water lifted from Yellampalli reservoir helped in extending irrigation support to part of KLIS ayacut last year. But the inflows from the upper stretches of Godavari is the main source for Yellampalli and it may take a couple of months to get the first flows in main Godavari.

The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) submitted its investigation report on the structural issues in the barrages, including recommendations for rehabilitation on April 24. However, no concrete action plan has been put in place to address the problems at Medigadda or the upstream barrages so far. The NDSA report is still under study by the agencies concerned, said a senior official from the Irrigation Department. The delay in implementing the recommendations is expected to impact the overall efficiency of the KLIS pumping systems.

The Medigadda barrage, which was designed to play a crucial role in the Kaleshwaram project, has faced structural issues. But the status of the Annaram and Sundilla barrages is relatively better. The Telangana government has not finalized its course of action in response to the NDSA report. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to discuss the report with officials to determine the way forward for restoring the three barrages, with a decision anticipated in the cabinet meeting following the report’s submission.

The Telangana government has taken steps to hold the contractor, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), accountable by rescinding the completion certificate issued for the Medigadda barrage and directing L&T to bear the cost of restoration, estimated at around Rs 600 crore. This includes completing pending works. However, L&T has resisted, claiming their liability ended after the project’s inauguration, leading to a standoff.

The estimated cost for repairs, particularly for reconstructing Block 7 in Medigadda and strengthening adjacent blocks will be around Rs.500 crore to Rs.600 crore. The State is withholding over Rs.300 crore in pending bills to L&T, which could potentially be redirected toward restoration if negotiations fail.