Direct and indirect involvement of KCR in Kaleshwaram project lapses highlighted by Justice P.C. Ghose Commission

As expected, the Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project has pointed out the direct and indirect involvement of the then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao behind the lapses in the much-hyped project.

The report, compiled after examining over 110 persons over a period of 15 months, held Mr. Rao as responsible for the lapses in the Kaleshwaram project right from planning stage to construction, operation and maintenance of the barrages and other issues. The report was placed before the State Council of Ministers which met here on Monday (August 4, 2025).

Interestingly, this is the first time the State Cabinet has met with the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project as the single point agenda. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy made a power point presentation about the lapses highlighted by Justice Ghose Commission, to explain the Ministers about the dimensions of malpractices that went into the project.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy cited contents of the 650-page report which pointed fingers at the then Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao too as responsible for the lapses. It said that an expert committee constituted to study the project had made recommendations against Kaleshwaram project. “But, the then government had intentionally set aside the recommendations of the expert committee and went ahead with the construction of the project,” the report said.