Rs. 200 Crore Seized from Engineer, Bigger Loot Suspected
Article Today, Hyderabad:
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, once hailed as Telangana’s lifeline and a symbol of agricultural prosperity, is now under a cloud of serious corruption allegations. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has unearthed illegal assets worth over Rs.200 crore from Executive Engineer Sridhar, triggering fresh public outrage and raising uncomfortable questions about the scale of the irregularities.
ACB’s Major Seizure Sparks Statewide Outcry
The ACB conducted raids across 12 locations, including Hyderabad, seizing large amounts of cash, gold, and luxury properties allegedly acquired by Sridhar through corrupt means. The enormity of these illegal assets has set off a critical debate across the state: if an executive engineer could amass such wealth, how much more might have been siphoned off by higher officials and influential politicians?
Corruption of Alarming Magnitude
For several years, the Congress party and other opposition groups have accused the former BRS government of large-scale corruption in the Kaleshwaram Project. The discovery of Sridhar’s vast assets now lends significant weight to these longstanding allegations. Citizens are openly questioning the possible involvement of senior ministers and top bureaucrats who may have facilitated and protected these corrupt practices.
Kaleshwaram: A Personal ATM for the Powerful?
Originally estimated at ₹1.47 lakh crore, the Kaleshwaram Project has increasingly been seen as a financial pipeline not just for irrigation, but also for personal enrichment. Investigations by the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission have already exposed poor construction quality, serious design flaws, and defects in major structures like the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.
Sridhar’s Case Exposes the Hidden Network
The Sridhar case is now being viewed as a critical link in uncovering the deeper layers of corruption within the Kaleshwaram Project. The collusion between contractors and officials to approve inflated bills, coupled with minimal project supervision, appears to have been a widespread practice. Allegations about the involvement of senior BRS leaders, including former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, have resurfaced with new intensity in light of these developments.
Rising Public Anger and Calls for Accountability
The people of Telangana, who once celebrated Kaleshwaram as a milestone in irrigation and development, are now disillusioned. The question on everyone’s mind is when those who allegedly used the project as a personal ATM will face justice. As the investigation progresses, public demand for accountability and transparent governance is growing louder by the day.
The Sridhar case is no longer seen as an isolated incident. It has become a window into what may turn out to be one of the largest corruption scandals in the state’s history. The coming days are expected to reveal just how far this network of corruption extended.
