The Justice Chandra Ghose Commission on Kaleshwaram project in Hyderabad is expected to ask for more time to finish its report due to delays caused by the model code of conduct. Now that the code has been lifted, the commission has sped up its investigation and sent notices to the contract agencies responsible for the Mediagadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. These agencies must provide details on the technical aspects and expenses related to the construction of the barrages.
L&T company was in charge of the Medigadda barrage, Afcon Infra Development company was blamed for leakage at Annaram, and Navayuga company was accused of poor quality construction at Sundilla. Justice Ghose completed his visits to the three barrages and has begun looking into allegations of corruption and the involvement of agencies and the previous government in inflating project estimates. Seven individuals have been summoned to appear before the commission on Monday, with another 18 scheduled for Tuesday.
A total of 54 complaints about corruption in the project are being investigated. The commission may call former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao to provide statements. The irrigation department has been instructed to provide all information about Kaleshwaram and agreements made with agencies. The commission will review project reports and any deviations from them during construction.
Former Engineer in Chief (Irrigation) Muralidhar and Kaleshwaram ENC N Venkateswarlu may also be summoned to provide further information on alleged corruption and poor management of the barrages during the previous government’s tenure. These officials were removed from their positions after a change in government.
