RS Praveen Kumar Demands SIT Probe into Medigadda Barrage Damage

BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar has alleged that the damage to the Medigadda barrage was not accidental but could have been part of a political conspiracy. He demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident, questioning why no significant progress had been made in the case despite a complaint over a suspected bomb explosion being lodged nearly three years ago. He was speaking at a media conference at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday.

Drawing parallels with incidents involving check dams allegedly blown up by the sand mafia, Praveen Kumar said the possibility of deliberate sabotage at Medigadda should also be investigated. He accused the Congress and BJP of conspiring to create public resentment against the previous BRS government and called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts.

Recalling the events of October 21, 2023, he said engineering officials had approached the police after a loud noise was heard near Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage, raising suspicions of a possible explosion. He questioned the absence of substantial progress in the investigation and urged authorities to examine all possible causes of the structural damage. While technical agencies and an inquiry commission have already examined the barrage's condition, he insisted that the suspected explosion angle should also be investigated based on evidence.

Praveen Kumar also accused the Congress government of worsening Telangana's irrigation and drinking water problems. He alleged that around 730 TMC of water had been released towards Andhra Pradesh without adequately utilising the Medigadda infrastructure, claiming that political animosity towards former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had influenced the government's approach.

He further claimed that the government activated pumps only after BRS leaders, including K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao, threatened to lay siege to the Medigadda barrage and Kannepalli pump house. He accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of giving greater priority to Andhra Pradesh than to Telangana.

Questioning the government's preparedness, Praveen Kumar said warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) about El Niño had not prompted adequate measures to restore the barrage and lift water. He contrasted the previous BRS government's focus on irrigation and power generation with what he described as the present administration's emphasis on financial collections over public welfare, demanding greater accountability in water management.