The recent report of Justice PC Ghosh Commission regarding Telangana’s ambitious Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project has created a stir in political circles. The report was submitted to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Water Resources Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday (August 1, 2025). The Commission has highlighted many flaws and irregularities in the construction of the project, about which the ruling Congress party has made serious allegations against the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.
The Justice PC Ghosh Commission examined the design, quality and financial irregularities in the construction of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages. The Commission said in its report that the Kaleshwaram project, which was started as a “lifeline of Telangana”, became a huge waste of public money.
Judicial Commission accused all these for irregularities
The Commission has given former Chief Minister K.K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) was directly and indirectly responsible for irregularities and illegalities in the plan, construction, perfection, operation and maintenance of three barrage. Apart from this, KCR’s nephew and former minister T. Harish Rao, Etala Rajendra, former Chief Secretary SK Joshi, Smita Sabharwal, former engineer-in-chief Muralidhar, B.K. Hari Ram and other engineers were also held responsible.
Congress accused BRS of irregularity of 1 lakh crores
The Commission blamed haste and technical flaws from the BRS government in the construction of the project. In particular, the incident of the collapse of Medigadda barrage pillars questioned the quality of the project. The Congress claimed that the BRS government made alleged irregularities of Rs 1 lakh crore by making the project an ATM.
KCR told allegations influenced by politics
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, “It was our promise to highlight the irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. Justice Ghosh’s report is an important step in this direction.” On the other hand, BRS leader and former Chief Minister KCR termed these allegations as politically motivated. He said, “Kaleshwaram project is a matter of pride for Telangana. It is a lifeline for farmers and an attempt is being made to discredit it.”
Commission report will be presented in the assembly
The Commission questioned former ministers Harish Rao and KCR, in which the project decisions and financial management were questioned. Harish Rao claimed, “We implemented the project in a transparent manner and it has proved to be a boon for the farmers.” However, the Congress says that the BRS will be held accountable by presenting the report of the Commission in the assembly.
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