TB dam crest gates overhaul: Tender opening awaited

Time of India

13-05-2025

Munirabad (Koppal):
Tungabhadra dam
's 33 crest gates, which surpassed their projected 45-year lifespan by 25 years, are scheduled to be replaced this year, beginning with the 19th gate in June.The dam, built across Tungabhadra River, serves as a crucial water source for agriculture, industries, and drinking needs across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Following the 19th gate incident last monsoon, specialists conducted ultrasound assessments, revealing a deterioration of 30% to 50% across all gates.Safety specialists recommended limiting water storage to 80 tmcft, below the full capacity of 105.7 tmcft, until the replacements are finished. This renovation project aims to extend the dam's operational life and improve its performance.After the 19th gate's damage, the Tungabhadra Board issued tenders worth Rs 80 crore for the remaining 32 gates. Ahmedabad Hardware Tools and Machinery Projects Private Limited secured the contract for the 19th gate on April 17 for Rs 1.9 crore.The tender process for the remaining gates was conducted between April 19 and 25, with project completion planned by June 2026, scheduling work during dry periods to minimise disruption. Project costs will be divided between Karnataka (55%) and Andhra Pradesh-Telangana (45%).Regarding the 19th gate, superintendent engineer Narayan Nayak stated that the company based in Ahmadabad submitted the design to both the Tungabhadra Board and the Central Design Organisation of Andhra Pradesh. "An engineer from the TB Board travelled to Andhra Pradesh to collect the approval letter personally. Our engineer discussed the matter with them, and it is anticipated that the approval will be secured by this weekend," he added.According to TB Board officials, the process is expected to be completed within a month before work can begin. The temporary stoplog for the 19th gate will be removed, which will allow for the installation of the new gate to start. Reservoir inflow is projected for the end of this month or the beginning of next month, and the installation can proceed without interruption as long as water levels are at 45 tmcft or below.The technical bid for the remaining 32 gates is expected to be completed this weekend. According to CE Narayan Nayak, "If this proposal, which has already been postponed twice, is finalised, it will be essential to restrict the reservoir's storage capacity to 80 tmcft. This decision will be made after consultionsng all those concerned."The Tungabhadra reservoir irrigates 9.2 lakh acres in Karnataka, 6.2 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh, and 87,000 acres in Telangana, while supplying water to numerous settlements and industrial facilities. However, the storage restriction to 80 tmcft has caused concern in the farming community.