Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Reach Historic Consensus to Protect Tungabhadra Dam, Says CM D.K. Shivakumar
Koppal/Bengaluru, June 25: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday announced that Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have reached a historic consensus to safeguard the Tungabhadra Dam and protect the interests of farmers dependent on the river basin.
Speaking after inaugurating the 33 newly replaced spillway gates of the Tungabhadra Reservoir at Munirabad in Koppal district, the Chief Minister said the joint decision marks a significant milestone in inter-state cooperation for water management and irrigation.
Historic Decision for Farmers
Shivakumar said the three states have unanimously agreed on measures to ensure the long-term safety of the Tungabhadra Dam and protect irrigation benefits for lakhs of farmers.
“This is a historic moment for South India. Our common objective is to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers and preserve this crucial irrigation infrastructure,” he said.
Recalled Emergency Replacement of Dam Gate
The Chief Minister recalled the emergency situation when Gate No. 19 of the Tungabhadra Dam was damaged.
He said Koppal district in-charge minister Shivaraj Tangadagi (former minister) and senior officials alerted him late at night about the seriousness of the situation. He visited the dam the following morning, consulted experts immediately and ensured that the damaged gate was replaced within a week.
“That timely intervention helped protect the dam and prevented a major crisis for farmers across the region,” he said.
Three States Unite to Protect the Dam
Shivakumar said the successful restoration of all 33 spillway gates reflects the collective commitment of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He acknowledged the role played by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in arriving at the historic consensus.
“We do not merely remember history—we create history. Coming together, discussing together and working together is the key to success,” he said.
One-Hour Meeting Leads to Landmark Decision
The Chief Minister said leaders of the three states held detailed discussions for nearly an hour on protecting the reservoir’s 33 TMC water storage capacity, desilting works, the proposed Navali parallel reservoir and other long-term solutions.
He said the consensus reached during the meeting would be formally announced by the Union Minister and described it as a landmark development in India’s irrigation and cooperative federalism framework.
A Dam with Historic Significance
Recalling the history of the project, Shivakumar said the idea of constructing a reservoir across the Tungabhadra River was first proposed in 1860 by British engineer Sir Arthur Cotton, while construction formally began in 1949.
He said many visionary leaders contributed to making the project a reality over the decades.
Commitment to Farmers
Describing farmers as the backbone of the nation, Shivakumar said they work without salary, promotion, pension or retirement, yet continue to feed the country.
“Our government is committed to protecting farmers and preserving this rice-growing region through sustainable irrigation and water management,” he said.
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