Officials at Medigadda Barrage Lodge Police Complaint Suspecting Sabotage

In a twist of events, officials overseeing the Medigadda Barrage have raised concerns of possible sabotage after reports emerged of slight sinking in its piers.The barrage, a cornerstone of Telanganas Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, underwent a thorough examination led by the National Dam Safety Authoritys (NDSA) Chairman, Anil Jain, and his expert team on a crisp Tuesday, October 24.

As the team, in collaboration with state authorities, delved into the heart of the structure at Ambatpally in the Jaishankar Bhupalpally district, they focused their attention on the telltale cracks marring pillars 18 to 21.Their mission: to unearth the factors that might have contributed to this unforeseen damage.A detailed report is anticipated to grace the Union Ministry of Jal Shaktis desk, bearing the committees insights.Accompanying the NDSA team were the states seasoned officials, including the venerable N.Venkateswarlu, Chief Engineer of Irrigation, and the representatives of L&T, the firm entrusted with the dams construction and upkeep.In the wake of the piers unsettling descent last Saturday, the state government found itself the subject of intense scrutiny.

In a curious turn of events, the Medigadda Barrage officials approached the Mahadevpur police with a startling theory: sabotage.They suspected the hand of anonymous malefactors behind the mishap, challenging the oppositions claims of quality compromise.

A case was swiftly registered, invoking pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to the deliberate damage of public property.Assistant Executive Engineer, A.Ravikanth, the vigilant guardian of Irrigation Sub-Division No 4, filed the complaint, recounting the fateful evening of October 21.It was then that he and Bidyuth Debnath, the L&T foreman, heard a resounding echo from the Barrage.Their inspection revealed the disconcerting damage to piers 19, 20, and 21."The slabs and parapet wall on pier number 20 appeared to have sunk," he recounted in his statement.Swift action was taken to avert further harm by releasing water downstream.

Since then, a vigilant guard has enveloped the dam, forbidding access to all but authorized personnel.While officials remain certain that only the pier sustained harm, the precise catalyst eludes them.

L&T, optimistic and proactive, pledged swift repairs and assured the public of no immediate threat.In the realm of politics, Congress state unit president A.Revanth Reddy echoed a call for a Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inquiry, citing the gravity of the situation during the ongoing Assembly elections.Meanwhile, BJP state president and Union Minister, G.Kishan Reddy, wasted no time in addressing a missive to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.Urgency underscored his plea for an immediate inquiry into the incident, coupled with a thorough safety audit, mindful of the downstream villages that rely on the structures stability.

Thus, the Medigadda Barrage stands as an enigma, with suspicions of sabotage woven into its tale of sinking piers, awaiting the unraveling of its mysterious narrative.