Article Today, Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday tabled the Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram project in the state Assembly. He stated that the government will take further action after a full debate with all parties. The Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister, has already accepted the report in full.
Cabinet Clears Ghose Commission Report
Justice Ghose submitted a 665-page report to the government on 31st, March 2025. A committee of senior officials analyzed the report and submitted a summary. Both the full report and the summary were approved by the state Cabinet during its latest meeting.
Independent Judicial Inquiry Promised and Delivered
Revanth Reddy said the Congress government had fulfilled its promise of an independent inquiry into the Kaleshwaram project. Justice Ghose, a former Supreme Court judge, was appointed to head the inquiry. The commission collected detailed information from former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, former Ministers T. Harish Rao and Etela Rajender, senior IAS officers, contractors, and subject experts.
Original Project Changed After Bifurcation
The Kaleshwaram project originated as the Pranahita-Chevella project under the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government. After the formation of Telangana, the KCR-led government altered the project’s name, location, and design. New barrages were built at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. The BRS government claimed completion by 2018.
Structural Failures Exposed Mismanagement
By 2023, the Medigadda barrage partially collapsed. Cracks appeared in the Annaram and Sundilla structures. Expert teams, including representatives from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), investigated the failures and submitted reports even before the current government came to power.
Commission Blames Corruption and Technical Lapses
Justice Ghose’s report strongly criticized the project’s execution. It noted that project estimates were inflated, names and sites were changed arbitrarily, and construction quality was poor. The report attributed the project’s failure to deliberate planning lapses, flawed designs, and lack of technical supervision.
No Cabinet Approval, No Manuals, No Agreements
The Commission pointed out that key decisions were taken without Cabinet approval. Contracts were issued without proper tenders, operational manuals were missing, and completion certificates were issued illegally. Bank guarantees were released without due process.
Financial Irregularities at Every Stage
Every phase of the project, from estimation to execution, saw violations. The Commission noted unauthorized approvals, manipulated contract terms, and absence of cost control. Additional works were awarded through nomination, leading to massive financial misuse.
KCR and Harish Rao Held Responsible
The Commission held former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao directly and indirectly accountable. Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao was also named. The report described the corruption as deep-rooted, involving political leaders, officials, and contractors.
Government Promises Action
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy clarified that there was no political interference in the inquiry. The Commission operated independently. He assured that the report will be debated in both Houses of the legislature. Based on the consensus, appropriate legal and administrative action will follow.
