Tungabhadra Board to replace 33 crust gates AP opposes Karnatakas’ Nauli reservoir proposal

The Tungabhadra Board has announced its decision to replace 33 crust gates of the Tungabhadra reservoir following a comprehensive inspection by national-level firms. The decision was taken during the board meeting held in Hospet on Friday, where members extensively discussed the reservoir's safety and maintenance requirements Renowned companies from Karaipudi and Jamshedpur have been tasked with assessing the capacity of the crust gates, and their findings will be submitted through detailed reports.

Officials disclosed that these inspections are set to begin soon, with a video conference scheduled for November 25 to finalize procedural details. The board aims to complete the bidding process for the replacement of the gates by the end of January. National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) Chairman Jain is expected to visit the dam on December 7 to review the safety measures, following which a comprehensive report will be finalized.

It has also been decided to award the tender to the lowest bidder for the replacement project. Karnataka’s proposal sparks debate In a related discussion, the Karnataka government sought the board's approval for the construction of the Nauli reservoir.

However, Andhra Pradesh's representative, CE Nagaraju, strongly opposed the proposal, citing the pending decision on the parallel canal project. Nagaraju emphasized that a consensus between the states is required before moving forward with Nauli.

The meeting also highlighted administrative issues, including the freezing of board accounts, which has led to delays in paying staff salaries. The board urged the concerned states to address the issue immediately to ensure smooth functioning.

The meeting saw participation from Board Secretary ORK Reddy, In-charge SE Neelakantha Reddy, CE Nagaraju, and other officials, who collectively discussed measures to enhance the reservoir's safety and operational efficiency.