Committee Finds KCR Solely Responsible for Kaleshwaram Collapse
A high-level inquiry committee has held former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao directly responsible for the structural failures of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). The findings pointed to serious lapses in decision-making, design, and execution, resulting in damage to the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.
Structural and Administrative Failures
The committee found that critical decisions, including increasing water storage beyond design limits, were taken without consulting experts or following standard administrative procedures. These actions were attributed directly to KCR, who allegedly bypassed both Cabinet and technical approval processes. The Medigadda barrage, designed for water diversion, was misused for storage, causing structural cracks and eventual pier sinking.
Legal Action Recommended
The report calls for strong disciplinary and legal action against several engineers and department heads involved in the project. It also recommends scrutiny of major contractors for using substandard materials and execution flaws. Companies flagged in the report are being reviewed for further investigation.
Political and Financial Implications
The project’s cost, initially pegged at around ₹40,000 crore, escalated to over ₹1 lakh crore. Opposition parties have accused the previous government of widespread corruption and inefficiency, demanding criminal proceedings against those responsible. The current Telangana government is examining the report’s recommendations and is likely to initiate departmental and criminal proceedings.
Cabinet Review in Progress
A committee of senior bureaucrats presented a summary of the findings to the Telangana Cabinet. Final decisions are pending, including the possibility of involving state investigative agencies and recovering public funds lost due to project mismanagement.
