Tungabhadra Dam New Crest Gates to Be Inaugurated on May 15: D.K. Shivakumar
Hospete, May 3: Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced that the inauguration of the newly installed crest gates at Tungabhadra Dam is scheduled for May 15, with final works expected to be completed by May 7.
After inspecting the site, Shivakumar said that all 33 crest gates have been successfully installed, with only minor finishing work pending. He termed the development a “significant milestone,” highlighting its importance for safeguarding irrigation and water supply.
He noted that the project directly protects the livelihoods of nearly 7.5 lakh farmers across four districts, adding that farmer representatives would be invited for the inauguration ceremony. Currently, the dam holds 10.50 TMC of water, and with rainfall, it is expected to reach 44 TMC within two months.
The DCM stated that around ₹54 crore has been spent on the project, with costs shared between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in a 64:34 ratio. He also emphasized that the execution of the project, especially the installation of all 33 gates, has emerged as a model initiative at the national level.
Focus on Safety and Modernisation
Shivakumar said additional steps have been taken to strengthen dam safety, including a ₹300 crore allocation for improving infrastructure across projects. He also ordered the replacement of chains associated with the gates, despite them being deemed functional, to ensure long-term reliability.
The new gates are expected to function efficiently for the next 50 years without major issues, he added.
Political and Inter-State Issues
Responding to criticism, Shivakumar said the successful completion of the project has “answered critics,” acknowledging the cooperation of farmers who adjusted cropping patterns during the works.
On the Navali balancing reservoir project and silt removal, he stated that discussions with the Andhra Pradesh government are pending, as their Chief Minister has not yet agreed to a meeting. He stressed that any decision must be taken collectively at the board level.
Regarding silt removal, he noted that it would require private sector involvement through global tenders, as the process is complex and resource-intensive.
No Plan to Increase Dam Height
Clarifying concerns, the DCM stated that there is no proposal to increase the dam’s height, and the focus remains on improving water conservation within the existing system.
On other administrative matters, he mentioned that the state government has instructed officials to clear 86,000 pending files at the earliest.
He also assured that reports would be sought regarding concerns over industrial pollution in dam waters, and appropriate action would follow.
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