Sun Aug 31 21:16:56 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, following a damning report by the Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission. The commission found negligence, suppression of facts, and financial irregularities in the project’s construction, blaming the previous BRS government and then-CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao for poor planning and execution. The project has saddled the state with significant debt, and the government believes a CBI investigation is necessary due to the involvement of various central and state agencies.

**News Article:**

**Telangana Orders CBI Probe into Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project Amid Corruption Allegations**

HYDERABAD, India – September 1, 2025 – Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged irregularities surrounding the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, a massive infrastructure project undertaken by the previous government. The announcement came after a lengthy debate in the Telangana Legislative Assembly following the tabling of a report by the Commission of Inquiry, headed by former Supreme Court Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose.

The Ghose Commission, which investigated allegations of corruption, misuse of funds, and construction lapses in key components of the project, submitted a report to the government on July 31st, 2025. The report concluded that there was negligence, suppression of facts, and significant financial irregularities during the project’s execution. It specifically pointed to structural faults in the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, and held the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, led by then-Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), responsible for deficient planning and execution.

Chief Minister Reddy stated that the decision to involve the CBI was due to the complex nature of the project, which involved numerous central and state agencies, including public sector undertakings and financial institutions. “Only a CBI inquiry can ensure a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of this project,” he asserted.

During the debate, Mr. Reddy accused the previous BRS government of “swindling public money” through the Kaleshwaram project. He highlighted the massive debt incurred by the Kaleshwaram Corporation, which borrowed ₹85,449 crore for the project, including loans with interest rates as high as 12%. He said the state is still carrying a debt burden of ₹60,869 crore, while an additional ₹47,000 crore is required to complete the remaining works.

The Chief Minister also alleged that KCR had altered the project’s original design and location for political reasons. He emphasized that the government is committed to uncovering the truth and holding those responsible for the alleged looting of public funds accountable.

The decision to launch a CBI probe is likely to trigger a political storm in Telangana, with the BRS expected to defend its record on the Kaleshwaram project. The investigation’s findings will be crucial in determining the future of the project and could have significant ramifications for political figures involved.

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