Latest news with #Hitnal
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TB dam's storage to be limited to 80 tmc
Koppal: The storage of Tungabhadra reservoir at Munirabad will be restricted to 80 tmc (thousand million cubic feet) this season due to the replacement of crest gate 19 by July, Koppal MP K Rajashekar Hitnal said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is against its full capacity of 101 tmc, supporting only one crop cycle. On August 10 last year, spillway gate no. 19 was displaced. Following the stop log gate installation a week later, the dam's water level decreased from 93 tmc to 70 tmc, Hitnal said on Thursday. The stop log gate installation was completed through the joint efforts of govt engineers, technicians and crest gate specialist N Kannaiah Naidu. He acknowledged the support from Jindal Steels, Hindustan Steels and Narayana Steels in providing the stopgap gate and technical assistance. A technical committee under the Tungabhadra Board, led by former central water commission chairman AK Bajaj, assessed the dam and recommended safety measures. Subsequently, NDSA president Anil Jain examined the dam, suggesting minimal water levels during non-destructive testing (NDT) for thorough evaluation, according to Hitnal. Private firm KSNDT conducted tests, including dye penetration and ultrasonic examinations, on all 33 crest gates and submitted findings on March 25. Their assessment revealed a 40-50% gate thickness reduction from original specifications, suggesting complete gate replacement. Following Naidu's inspection, reinforcement of crest gate frame connections was advised. As complete gate replacement isn't possible this year, water levels must be maintained 12 to 15 feet above spill level, ensuring water availability for single crop cultivation and drinking needs, MP Hitnal said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per safety guidelines, 2025-26 storage must not exceed 80 tmc and 1,626.06 feet, pending Tungabhadra Board approval. Hitnal said Ahmedabad-based M/s Hardware Tools and Machinery Pvt Ltd will replace Gate 19 for Rs 1.7 crore (excluding GST) by July 2025. Additionally, a Rs 51.9 crore tender was issued on April 17 for replacing the remaining 32 spillway gates within 15 months.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Koppal's fair showcases region's mango diversity
The eagerly awaited Mango Fair 2025, a 10-day exhibition and sale of different varieties of mangoes, was inaugurated on the premises of the Department of Horticulture in Koppal on Tuesday. K. Raghavendra Hitnal, Koppal MLA, who inaugurated the event, praised the efforts of the Horticulture Department for successfully organising the annual mango fair for the last nine years to support farmers and promote local produce. 'The Horticulture Department and the Koppal administration have been organising the mela for the last nine years to encourage farmers to cultivate mangoes and provide a market for the fruit. I appreciate it. Horticulture crops are more beneficial compared to agricultural crops. Farmers must switch to horticulture crops, especially mango cultivation. Mango is cultivated on around 6,000 hectares of land in the district and it needs to be further expanded,' Mr. Hitnal said. The fair drew large crowds of farmers, horticulture enthusiasts, students, and consumers from across the region. The festival served as a vibrant platform for celebrating the diversity and richness of mango cultivation in Karnataka. The fair featured over 100 different mango varieties, including both indigenous and hybrid types such as Alphonso, Dasheri, Mallika, Totapuri, Kesar, and Raspuri. The Miyazaki mango, also known as Taiyo no Tamago or Egg of the Sun, which was considered to be the world's costliest mango typically priced at ₹2.5 to ₹3 lakh per kg, was also put on display. Mango pickles are also put on exhibition and sale at the fair. Exhibitors from various districts, including Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Raichur, Ballari, and Vijayapura, participated, showcasing the remarkable biodiversity of mangoes cultivated in Karnataka. Over 30 stalls were put for the exhibition. Technical support was provided by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, which conducted demonstrations on grafting techniques, organic practices, and 'En-Ripe'—a safe method for natural mango ripening. Experts also offered consultations to farmers on improving yield and quality, as well as guidance on expanding their market and exploring export possibilities. Banners were put up and leaflets were distributed to sensitise the consumers on the nutrition available in mangoes. Koppal Kesar Mango, the popular variety of mango grown in Koppal district, was in high demand on the first day of the fair. The boxes for packing these mangoes are provided to farmers under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
