Justice Chandra Ghose Commission is investigating the Kaleshwaram project and has received important information about the Operation and Maintenance of the lift irrigation scheme from Irrigation officials. The Commission started a field-level probe into alleged irregularities in the project’s construction.
State Irrigation officials were summoned by the Commission to provide details of the project with documentary evidence. Justice Ghose will also visit the damaged Medigadda barrage during the week-long schedule. The irrigation officials had previously alerted the government about the safety of the barrage in 2019, but repairs were not carried out, leading to piers sinking due to heavy inflows.
The Commission is seeking information about the project design, contract works, execution, sub-contract agencies, agreements, quality control, and maintenance. Neglect of maintenance was identified as a possible cause of the barrage damage during preliminary investigations by the state Vigilance wing and NDSA.
Justice Ghose plans to visit the barrage to assess if it was constructed according to irrigation standards. Top irrigation officials have been instructed to attend meetings during the investigation. Compiling documentary evidence is the first challenge for the Commission as it begins an in-depth probe.
