Hyderabad: The Telangana government has formally authorised a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The move follows expert warnings, a judicial inquiry, and Assembly approval.
CBI Kaleshwaram project probe follows dam damage and expert reports
On 21 October 2023, six piers of the Medigadda barrage, a critical component of the project on the Godavari river, suffered structural damage. In response, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) inspected the site between 21 and 24 October. It later conducted two follow-up visits in 2024.
In detailed reports submitted on 01 January 2024 and 24 April 2025, the NDSA pointed to design failures, poor construction, weak quality control, and lapses in supervision. The authority concluded that serious flaws had compromised the safety of the barrage.
Judicial commission finds irregularities, recommends probe
Meanwhile, the state government appointed Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, a retired Supreme Court judge, to head a Commission of Inquiry. His mandate was to examine possible corruption and irregularities in planning, tendering, execution, and financing of the project.
The commission submitted its findings on 31 July 2025. It cited violations, misuse of public funds, and possible collusion between contractors and officials. Therefore, it recommended that a central agency take over the investigation.
Legislative Assembly endorses CBI probe into Kaleshwaram project
Acting on these findings, the Telangana Legislative Assembly on 01 September 2025 unanimously passed a resolution calling for a CBI inquiry into the three barrages. Lawmakers noted that both the NDSA’s technical assessments and the commission’s report highlighted systemic failures that required independent scrutiny.
To enforce the decision, the Home (Special) Department issued G.O.Ms.No.104 on the same day. It invoked Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, empowering the CBI to investigate contractors, firms, and public servants linked to the project.
Government invokes legal provision to authorise CBI jurisdiction
The order also nullified earlier restrictions on the agency’s jurisdiction, including those set under G.O.Ms.No.51 from August 2022. It explicitly brought all three barrages, related contracts, and payments under CBI jurisdiction.
Special Chief Secretary Ravi Gupta signed the order and directed every department to extend full cooperation. The state has also forwarded copies of the notification to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the CBI.
Officials said the decision underscores the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and restoring public trust in large infrastructure projects.
