Hyderabad: The technical oversight committee (TOC) constituted by the Union ministry of jal shakti has expressed satisfaction with the extensive studies and tests being carried out for the repair and rehabilitation of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.The committee has asked Telangana officials to proceed with preparing detailed repair designs, which are expected to be finalised by the end of Aug.At its first meeting on Friday, the TOC reviewed the progress made so far and was briefed by Telangana irrigation officials, including Col Parikshit Mehra, secretary (tunnel and safety), who is overseeing the rehabilitation exercise. Officials made detailed presentations on the geo-technical investigations, safety assessments and other studies being conducted at the three barrages.Sources said the committee, headed by National Dam Safety Authority member (technical) Samir Kumar Shukla, was satisfied with the geo-technical investigations, soil and laboratory tests, ground penetrating radar surveys and studies carried out by the Central Water and Power Research Station.The committee reportedly advised officials to ensure that the data generated through these studies is thoroughly analysed and made readily usable for designers preparing the rehabilitation plans.A major part of the discussions focused on the restoration of Medigadda barrage’s block 7 section, where structural damage had triggered concerns over the project’s safety. While the NDSA had earlier recommended removal of the entire block 7, the TOC discussed multiple rehabilitation options with state officials.“One option is completely removing the block 7 of Medigadda and construct new in the same place. The other option is construction of another block ahead of the present block 7 and another is converting the block into a spillway. The committee has discussed pros and cons of the three options,” a senior irrigation department official told TOI.Officials said the TOC examined the concept plans prepared by designers and suggested certain modifications. The final designs will now be prepared based on the committee’s recommendations.The committee, however, did not deliberate on issues relating to water impounding or pumping operations at the barrages, as these matters do not fall within its terms of reference, officials added.
