KLIP fiasco: NDSA experts continue to interrogate officials

The expert team from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), led by J. Chandrashekhar Iyer, met at Jala Soudha in the city on Thursday to scrutinise the construction process of the barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

Representatives from the construction agencies, project construction authorities, operation and maintenance (O&M) wing, investigation agencies, postinvestigation agencies, along with officials from the Central Design Organisation (CDO) and the quality control and investigation authorities, faced questions by the team. They were quizzed individually too.

Sources revealed that officials from the CDO affirmed adherence to due procedures. When questioned about external involvement in the design process, CDO officials denied any such influence, asserting compliance with Indian Standard codes. Notably, they admitted to abstaining from field visits due to a lack of authorisation. It is said that the officials had noticed leakages in the Sundilla barrage in 2019 and took steps. They also said that they had conducted a survey using LiDAR technology before finalising site for barrages.

Following incomplete information provided during their first visit on March 6, the team interacted with former EnC (General) C. Muralidhar and former EnC of KLIP, N. Venkateswarlu, on Wednesday. Further engagements are planned, including a meeting with the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO), head of SDSC, and experts. Additionally, a visit to the Telangana State Engineering Research Labs at Himayat Sagar is scheduled for a firsthand view of running models alongside concerned CDO officials.