Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Assures Swift Restoration of Tungabhadra Dam Gate, Addresses Concerns of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday reassured the Agriculture Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding the swift restoration of the damaged Tungabhadra Dam gate, emphasizing the shared interests of farmers across the states.

“Our farmers are no different than your states’ farmers. We will take measures to ensure that they are not troubled in the wake of damage to the Tungabhadra Dam gate,” Siddaramaiah stated during a press briefing alongside the Agriculture Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the repair work on the 19th gate of the Tungabhadra Dam, which has sustained significant damage. The Tungabhadra Dam, a critical water source for farmers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, has a current capacity of 115 TMC, with 25 TMC already released for agricultural use.

“The dam’s 19th gate, which controls the water flow, has been damaged, resulting in the loss of 35,000 cusecs of water,” Siddaramaiah explained. Despite this setback, he assured that the dam still holds sufficient water—64 TMC—for farmers’ initial crops.

Repairs are being carried out by Hindustan Engineering and Narayana Engineering, with expert advice. The work is expected to take four to five days. Siddaramaiah also expressed his intention to personally visit the dam to offer prayers once it is fully restored.

The Tungabhadra Dam, which has been operational since 1954, has never before experienced a gate chain breakage in its 70-year history. The Chief Minister acknowledged that while maintenance issues have arisen in the past, such as canal problems in 2019, this is the first time the dam’s gates have faced such a challenge.

Experts recommend that the gates and chains of the dam should be replaced every 50 years, and Siddaramaiah assured that the Tungabhadra Board and relevant government bodies will take appropriate action in the future.

In addressing media inquiries, the Chief Minister noted that the Tungabhadra Dam Board, which includes members from the Union government, Central Water Commission, and representatives from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, is responsible for overseeing such issues.

Looking ahead, Siddaramaiah revealed that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Navali Dam, estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore, has been prepared. “This is an inter-state project, and work will commence after the DPR is approved,” he added.

As heavy rainfall is expected in Karnataka from August 17, Siddaramaiah assured that farmers across the affected states will not face any problems during this period.