Ambati Slams NDA for Tungabhadra Dam Gate Collapse Blame Game

 Vijayawada: Former minister Ambati Rambabu has accused the TD-led NDA government of attempting to shift blame for the collapse of a gate at the Tungabhadra Dam onto the previous YSRC government.

Addressing media in Guntur on Monday, Rambabu stated that heavy flooding, resulting in a discharge of approximately 90,000 cusecs of water, caused the collapse of the dam's 19th crest gate.

He expressed concerns about the potential flood threat to districts like Anantapur and others in the state.

Emphasising the joint management of the Tungabhadra project by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana under the Tungabhadra Board, Rambabu dismissed allegations of negligence against former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He pointed out that the dam, constructed 71 years ago, had a designed lifespan of 45 years and was still being effectively managed despite its age.

Drawing a comparison to the Pulichintala project, where the previous YSRC government swiftly repaired a damaged gate within 20 days, Rambabu criticised the TD government’s alleged negligence in projects like Gundlakamma. He deemed it unfair and misleading to attribute all such issues to former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.