CM Siddaramaiah inspects damage to TB Dam crest gate; work on replacement to start soon

BALLARI, KOPPAL: Efforts to replace the 19th crest gate of the Tungabhadra dam, which was washed away, got under way in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He earlier arrived in Koppal by a private aircraft.

The CM arrived at the Tungabhadra Dam in an electric vehicle and was accompanied by ministers, parliament members and MLAs. He, along with officials and technical experts also inspected the damage caused at the 19th crest gate which was washed away after a chain gave way. The CM was also briefed about how they plan to install a new crest gate and he even took a look at the sketches.

Later, speaking to media persons, he said water was being released from 10 gates, but the chain of the 19 crest gate gave way. “The restoration work is going on under the supervision of Kannaiah Naidu. The TB Dam board has members from all three states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) and they are appointed by the Centre. The dam is old, but such an incident had never occurred”.

Regarding the Navali dam, the CM said the detailed project report (DPR) is ready. “After Andhra Pradesh gives its approval, we will take up the work”, he added.

The crest gate No.19 of the Tungabhadra Dam was washed away.

Further, the CM said he is hopeful that the Tungabhadra dam will fill up again by October and said he will offer bagina then. “In the 70 year history of the dam, for the first time, a crest gate was washed away. Work on replacing the crest gate will start from tomorrow under Kannaiah Naidu’s supervision. According to experts, crest gates should be changed once in 50 years, so we will take up maintenance of dams as per their advice”.

The CM also visited the residence of former MP Karadi Sanganna in Koppal where he had lunch. From there, he proceeded to Ginigera airport to return to Bengaluru.

New crest gates are being fabricated at Hosapete.

The authorities plan to install a 48 ton temporary crest gate to control the wastage of water from the dam. The crest gate will be taken to the dam in five parts from Hosapete and Hosalli where it is being fabricated. So far, about 22 tmc feet of water has flown from the dam, experts said.

The TB Dam has a capacity to store 133 tmcft of water and experts say the 19th crest gate was washed away due to continuous water pressure on the three gates in the middle of the dam — 17, 18 and 19. The dam has accumulated about 30 tmcft of silt and 105 tmcft of water was stored in the first week of July while 115 tmcft of water was released into the river.