NDSA To Review Srisailam Dam Conditions After Telangana Flags Safety Issues

Anil Jain, the Chairman of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), is set to evaluate the Srisailam dam on April 29, due to safety concerns raised by Telangana. This inspection is a direct response to a recent communication from Telangana's Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation), G Anil Kumar, who requested the authority to look into structural problems.

On March 6, the NDSA conducted a joint meeting with irrigation officials from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. During this meeting, the authority recommended that Andhra Pradesh finish temporary repairs on the dam by May 31. This deadline was not documented in the official meeting minutes.

Following this, Telangana representatives sent a follow-up request to have the repair deadline included in the official records and sought the NDSA's involvement to ensure prompt action. In reply, the NDSA chairman will first meet with dam safety officials from Andhra Pradesh on April 28 in Vijayawada, and then hold discussions with Telangana officials in Hyderabad on April 30.

In a related scenario, on April 24, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti will hold its 158th meeting and assess the Integrated Sitarama Lift Irrigation and Sitamma Sagar Multipurpose Project. At the committee's 157th meeting, the project was postponed until the Central Water Commission reviewed the design.

Since they affect important interstate water infrastructure and have a big impact on irrigation and dam safety in the area, these initiatives are being constantly monitored.