Revanth Reddy orders CBI probe into Kaleshwaram project
He stated that the judicial commission, after an in-depth examination of the Kaleshwaram project, has highlighted several glaring defects, lapses, and irregularities that raise serious concerns. According to him, the findings are not just technical shortcomings but issues of grave magnitude that clearly warrant criminal proceedings. The report has categorically noted that such irregularities cannot be ignored or dismissed, and therefore, he emphasized that stringent criminal action must be initiated against all those responsible.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced that the controversial Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project will now come under the scrutiny of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision, he said, was necessary to unearth the truth behind the alleged irregularities that plagued the massive project, constructed during the previous BRS regime.
Speaking passionately in the Legislative Assembly, at the conclusion of a marathon discussion that stretched into the early hours of Monday, Reddy made it clear that only a CBI probe could bring justice. He explained that the project is linked with inter-state water sharing issues, multiple central government agencies, and financial institutions, making it too complex to be handled by state authorities alone.
The Chief Minister pointed out that both the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and a judicial commission had already raised serious red flags. Their findings, he said, leave no room for doubt that the project’s design, execution, and financing need closer examination. The judicial commission, in particular, noted glaring defects and irregularities that, in its view, were grave enough to warrant criminal action against those responsible.
Reddy also revealed that his government had convinced the Centre to restructure debts worth more than ₹26,000 crore related to the project. He accused the previous BRS government of burdening Telangana by borrowing at exorbitant interest rates. According to him, such reckless financial decisions were not just poor governance but part of a larger plan to drain public money.
Originally proposed at Thummidi Hatti, the site was shifted despite strong objections from a committee of retired engineers, who had warned that the new site would be technically unviable. “This was not a mistake. It was a deliberate move to loot the people’s money,” Reddy charged.
The judicial commission that brought these details to light was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice P. C. Ghose. Its report was submitted to the government on July 31, and on Sunday the Assembly took up a detailed discussion on its findings.
Built on the Godavari River in Bhupalpally district, it was meant to irrigate lakhs of acres, provide drinking water, and meet industrial needs. But cracks in the Medigadda barrage and damage to other structures soon turned it into one of the most contentious political issues. The matter played a crucial role in the 2023 Assembly election, where the ruling BRS faced severe criticism.
Now, with a CBI investigation formally announced, Reddy has promised that those responsible for irregularities will be held accountable, and that the people of Telangana will finally know the truth behind Kaleshwaram.