Hyderabad – The Justice PC Ghose Commission, which is investigating structural failures in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, has officially summoned former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). He has been asked to appear before the commission by June 5.
The commission is probing the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage, along with reported leakages at the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. These are key structures in the multi-crore irrigation project.
Alongside KCR, the commission has also called in former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on June 6, and BJP MP Eatala Rajender on June 9. Rajender served as the Finance Minister during the initial phase of the project when it was launched under the then TRS government, now known as BRS.
Sources close to the investigation said that Justice Ghose plans to question KCR based on statements previously collected from over 50 irrigation officials, including retired chief engineers who worked on the project. Many of these officials told the commission that KCR personally approved the designs of the three barrages that later suffered damage.
The Central Design Organisation of the state’s irrigation department also submitted documents indicating that project designs were altered following KCR’s directions.
The commission is expected to question KCR about several critical issues. These include alleged corruption, decisions regarding financial loans at high-interest rates, and the handling of advance payments to contractors. His involvement in the operation and maintenance of the damaged barrages will also be under scrutiny.
Former ministers Harish Rao and Eatala Rajender will be questioned about their roles in approving project designs and overseeing fund allocations. The commission aims to determine if proper procedures and transparency were followed during the planning and execution of the massive infrastructure project.
The inquiry is part of a broader effort to uncover potential mismanagement and financial irregularities in one of Telangana’s most ambitious irrigation ventures.
