2 hrs ago
End-to-End D-Wall Considered for Medigadda Barrage Rehabilitation
Telangana is studying how to repair the damaged Medigadda barrage.
Some of its piers were damaged in October 2023.
Officials are considering building a strong underground wall across the entire barrage.
They may also improve structures that slow down floodwater.
Engineers are examining test results from Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla.
IIT Bombay and AFRY India will help prepare the repair plans.
The final designs are not ready yet.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy also said Telangana used a record amount of Godavari water during 2025–26.
He blamed some project decisions by the earlier BRS government for the barrage problems.
An end-to-end diaphragm wall may be required to rehabilitate the damaged Medigadda barrage.
Existing stilling basins may be strengthened and extended to reduce floodwater velocity.
Final rehabilitation designs have not yet been submitted by the technical consultants.
IIT Bombay and AFRY India are reviewing test reports from three barrages.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana used a record 340 tmc ft of Godavari water in 2025–26.
- Who
- Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, with IIT Bombay and AFRY India involved in the technical review.
- What
- Officials are considering an end-to-end diaphragm wall and strengthened stilling basins to rehabilitate Medigadda barrage.
- Where
- Medigadda barrage in Telangana, along with related examinations at Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
- When
- The barrage piers were damaged in October 2023; the water-utilisation figure refers to 2025–26.
- Why
- The proposed measures are intended to repair structural damage, control floodwater velocity, and improve energy dissipation.
Current Telangana Government Position
Previous BRS Government Record
Responsibility for structural problems
Current Telangana Government Position
Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that shifting the original Pranahita Chevella project from Tummidihatti to Medigadda under the previous BRS government contributed to serious structural failures.
Previous BRS Government Record
The article reports the allegation against the previous BRS government but does not include a response from BRS representatives.
Project design and irrigation potential
Current Telangana Government Position
Reddy said completing the project at Tummidihatti could have allowed Pranahita waters to be impounded and nearly 165 tmc ft used for northern Telangana.
Previous BRS Government Record
The article says the BRS government shifted the project to Medigadda, but gives no explanation from BRS for that decision.
Godavari water utilisation
Current Telangana Government Position
Reddy said Telangana used a record 340 tmc ft of Godavari water in 2025–26, exceeding the utilisation achieved during the previous government's 10-year tenure.
Previous BRS Government Record
The article provides the minister's comparison but does not include a separate response or alternative figures from the previous BRS government.
Key facts
- Affected structure
- Medigadda barrage
- Reported damage
- Some piers were damaged in October 2023
- Potential repair
- An end-to-end diaphragm wall
- Additional intervention
- Strengthening and extending existing stilling basins
- Technical reviewers
- IIT Bombay and AFRY India
- Water utilisation
- 340 tmc ft of Godavari water during 2025–26
- Design status
- Final rehabilitation designs have not yet been submitted
Quotes
N. Uttam Kumar Reddy
Telangana irrigation minister.
“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.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Instead of completing the project at Tummidihatti, the BRS government shifted it to Medigadda. After this shift, the barrages constructed as part of the project suffered serious structural failures.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Telangana Seeks Higher Tummidihatti Level for 80 TMC Gravity Flow
New Regulator Planned After Repalle Main Drain Structure Collapses
Telangana Seeks Maharashtra Nod For Lift-Free Tummidihatti Water Transfer
Telangana, Maharashtra Show Possible Progress on Tummidihatti Barrage
Telangana Seeks Chhattisgarh NOC for Sammakka Sagar Barrage
Uttam Blames BRS Failures, El Niño for Telangana Water Scarcity
Harish Rao Urges Officials to Pump Godavari Water
Telangana BJP Chief Accuses Government of Neglecting Farmers' Water Crisis
Telangana Ministers Seek Krishna Water to Protect Jurala Crops
