Kaleshwaram irrigation project probe panel summons BRS president KCR

The Justice PC Ghose commission, investigating alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), has issued summons to former Telangana Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao.

Notices have also been sent to former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender. As per the schedule, KCR has been asked to appear on June 5, Harish Rao on June 6, and Eatala Rajender on June 9. They have 15 days to confirm their willingness to appear for cross-examination.

The commission is probing possible lapses in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the



KLIP. The inquiry was prompted by the collapse of piers at the Medigadda barrage and reported issues at other locations.

The one-man commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge and former Lokpal of India, Justice PC Ghose, was constituted in March 2024. It has examined reports from the National Dam Safety Authority and the state’s vigilance department, both of which pointed to irregularities.

Several officials and engineers have reportedly stated that key decisions were made at the top political level, prompting the commission to seek clarification from senior leaders involved in the project’s execution and major policy shifts, including the site relocation from Tummidihatti to Medigadda.