A significant step towards securing the Tungabhadra Reservoir was taken on Saturday as the installation process for 33 brand-new crest gates officially commenced with a ceremonial puja in Munirabad, Koppal taluk. The ritual, a Maha Sudarshan Raksha Homa, marked the beginning of a crucial infrastructure project aimed at replacing all the existing gates of the vital dam.
Safety Concerns Prompt Major Overhaul
The decision for a complete replacement stems from serious safety assessments. The catalyst was an incident in August of last year, when heavy rains and flooding swept away the dam's 19th crest gate. While a temporary stop-log gate was installed within a fortnight, a subsequent inspection by the Central Water Commission revealed a more systemic problem. The team reported that all 33 crest gates had exceeded their operational lifespan and were structurally compromised, necessitating immediate action.
Following consultations with the beneficiary states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Tungabhadra Board decided to replace every single gate. A tender worth Rs 52 crore was awarded to the Ahmedabad-based Hardware Tools and Machinery Project Company for the mammoth task.
Project Timeline and Manufacturing Details
ORK Reddy, Secretary of the Tungabhadra Board, outlined the project's scale and schedule. Five dedicated teams are working on the project. The new crest gates are currently being manufactured at two locations: on the outskirts of Adavi Somapur village in Gadag district and within the Tungabhadra dam township in Hosapete taluk.
As of now, eighteen crest gates have already been fabricated and are ready for installation. The Board initiated the on-site installation phase with Saturday's puja, led by Superintendent Engineer Narayan Naik. According to Reddy, the contractor plans to install eight gates per month, with the ambitious goal of completing the installation of all 33 gates by April 2026.
Phased Installation and Testing
The installation will follow a meticulous phased approach. Critical clearance work for the 18th gate is scheduled for December 20. This will be followed by the installation and rigorous testing of a trial gate. The success of this trial will pave the way for the smooth and sequential installation of the remaining gates.
The ceremonial event on Saturday saw the presence of several key officials, including Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner Kavita S Mannikeri, ZP CEO Nongjoy Mohammed Ali Akram Shah, SP S Jahnavi, Superintendent Engineers Chandrashekhar and Srinivas Malligawad, along with other officers from the concerned departments.
This comprehensive replacement project underscores a committed effort to ensure the long-term structural integrity and safety of the Tungabhadra Dam, a critical water resource for the region.
