Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday announced a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, citing the judicial commission’s findings and National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report.

The CM told the Assembly that multiple defects in planning, design and quality control led to the failure of the Medigadda barrage. He said the state has already repaid ₹49,835 crore towards project loans, including ₹29,956 crore as interest, and secured a debt restructure of over ₹26,000 crore from the Centre.

Reddy accused the previous BRS government of altering the project site from Thummidi Hatti to Medigadda for financial gains. The judicial commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose, held former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao accountable for irregularities and suggested action as per law.

The BRS staged a walkout, alleging they were denied time to present their version.

The Kaleshwaram project, built on the Godavari in Bhupalpally district, was a key issue in the 2023 Assembly elections after structural damages were reported at its barrages.