Afcons urges design fixes for Annaram barrage efficiency
The Annaram barrage, a critical component of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), has come under scrutiny amid ongoing discussions regarding its structural integrity and performance. Afcons Infrastructure, the engineering firm responsible for its construction, has firmly stated that there are no quality issues with the barrage, affirming that it is fully functional and structurally sound. However, the company has urged design modifications to ensure that the barrage operates at its full potential, particularly concerning its tailwater outflow velocity. According to Afcons representatives, the water currently exits the barrage at a velocity of 20 metres per second, whereas the original design projected an outflow of 3 to 5 metres per second. This discrepancy, Afcons claims, necessitates specific design interventions to optimise water flow management and enhance long-term operational efficiency.
The 1,270-metre-long Annaram barrage, equipped with 66 radial gates and a capacity of 10 TMC (thousand million cubic feet), plays a pivotal role in Telangana’s irrigation and water management strategy. Concerns over its durability surfaced following major flood events in 2018 and 2019, prompting a Justice PC Ghose-led Commission of Inquiry to assess the structure. Afcons, in its testimony before the commission, clarified that no damage, seepage, or structural erosion was observed in the barrage following these flood incidents. The company cited geophysical studies and structural inspections, including photographic analysis of the upstream and downstream sections, to back its claims. By comparison, similar dam structures across India’s irrigation landscape have faced extensive rehabilitation efforts, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, where dam failures have previously prompted expensive overhauls. In contrast, Afcons asserts that Annaram’s structural soundness remains uncompromised, requiring only specific design refinements rather than large-scale corrective work.
From a sustainability perspective, ensuring efficient water flow management is essential to minimising resource wastage and preventing long-term structural strain. Afcons commissioned a 3D model study to simulate water velocity impact, collaborating with dam safety experts, irrigation officials, and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). The study’s findings, formally submitted to the Telangana Irrigation Department in February 2024, recommended an extended stilling basin with a 60-metre depressed cistern level and a raised end sill at 106 metres. However, despite detailed recommendations, Afcons stated that no corrective actions had been initiated by the authorities thus far. Given that KLIS is one of India’s largest lift irrigation projects, ensuring hydrodynamic efficiency and long-term sustainability in its barrages is critical to avoiding inefficiencies and mitigating environmental risks.
The broader urban and civic impact of Annaram’s performance is equally significant, as the barrage directly influences water supply for agriculture, drinking water schemes, and industrial usage across Telangana. Inadequate design adjustments could compromise optimal water flow, potentially affecting thousands of farmers and urban settlements relying on KLIS for sustainable irrigation. Afcons reiterated that it remains committed to supporting any required design refinements, but stressed the need for prompt action from the irrigation department. As Telangana’s irrigation infrastructure evolves, ensuring structural resilience, sustainability, and hydrological efficiency will be paramount to maintaining KLIS’s long-term success and water security for the region.