The Telangana government is moving to initiate criminal proceedings against major construction firms, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), for their refusal to undertake and fund critical repair works on the damaged barrages of the massive Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. This decisive step comes after months of failed negotiations with the original contractors.
Deadlock Over Repair Costs Leads to Legal Action
Frustrated by the lack of cooperation from the executing agencies, the state's irrigation department is now preparing to issue formal legal notices. The contractors—L&T, Afcons, and Navayuga—have failed to reach an agreement with the government to carry out the necessary rehabilitation of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages at their own expense. Officials confirmed that these notices, which will formally convey the intent to start criminal proceedings, are likely to be issued within the next couple of days.
The core of the dispute lies in the massive estimated cost of restoration, particularly for the Medigadda barrage. Official sources indicate that repairing just the Medigadda structure could burden the state exchequer with a staggering Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore. The government has been adamant that the companies responsible for the construction should bear this financial responsibility.
Probe Reports Pave Way for Criminal Case
The state's resolve is backed by the findings of multiple investigative reports. The government has sought legal advice based on these probes, including the report from the Justice (retd) PC Ghose one-man inquiry commission and inputs from vigilance and enforcement authorities. These reports have collectively cleared the path for pursuing criminal action against the firms.
The Ghose commission's report, submitted in July, placed the primary onus on L&T for the Medigadda barrage. It specifically held the company responsible for completing all pending and restoration works, including the complete reconstruction of the damaged Block 7 piers. "In case the agency fails to act, the project authorities will get the works done and recover the amounts from it," the report stated unequivocally.
The commission also made critical observations about the project's completion, noting that the issuance of completion certificates to the contractors was "incorrect and unjustified." It further clarified that the defect liability period for the structures had not legally commenced, strengthening the government's claim for rectification at the contractors' cost. The panel dismissed L&T's defense of merely following provided designs, citing evidence of the company's involvement in finalizing the design.
Focus on Restoration and Technical Support
The immediate priority for the government remains the restoration of the three barrages, with special attention to the structurally failed Block 7 piers of the Medigadda barrage. The failure occurred on October 21, 2023. In October of this year, the government floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) to appoint design agencies for the rehabilitation project.
Recognizing the technical complexity, the state is now planning to engage premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Dam Safety Authority to assist with the restoration plans. This move underscores the scale and importance of fixing the critical infrastructure of the Kaleshwaram scheme, one of the world's largest lift irrigation projects.
As the legal machinery gears up, the standoff between the Telangana government and the infrastructure giants enters a decisive phase, with criminal liability and hundreds of crores in repair costs hanging in the balance.
