An Experts’ Committee on safety of the Tungabhadra (TB) Dam has proposed replacement of all crest gates of the dam. This is expected to require a budget of ₹256 crore. (Image: DC)
Anantapur: An Experts’ Committee on safety of the Tungabhadra (TB) Dam has proposed replacement of all crest gates of the dam. This is expected to require a budget of ₹256 crore.
As per the arrangement for this interstate dam, Karnataka will share 55 per cent of the cost, while the combined Andhra Pradesh needs to contribute 45 per cent of the expenditure for fixing new gates.
According to experts, replacement of gates can be taken up only during the dry season. For the purpose, the Tungabhadra Board should be ready in advance before the coming summer.
Incidentally, several experts suggest that replacement of the TB Dam crest gates must take place in a phased manner, instead of replacing them all at once. The lifespan of the gates had been estimated at 45 years. However, the gates have not been changed even though an additional 25 years have passed.
The delay is believed to have led to the 19th gate of the Tungabhadra Dam getting washed away four months ago, leading to a huge loss of water into the river. Teams of engineers and experts replaced the gate within a few weeks of it getting washed away.
A senior engineer of the TB Dam said the present storage of water in the dam is 100 TMC feet. It is being released through the high level and low level main canals for irrigation and power generation purposes.
It is up to the AP and Karnataka governments to take a decision on when to take up the replacement of the 32 gates and in what manner. The gates have already outlived their estimated life by 25 years.
Sources told Deccan Chronicle that the Tungabhadra Dam is spending huge amounts on maintenance of gates every year. This has reportedly been a source of income for a section of those in authority.
The delay is believed to have led to the 19th gate of the Tungabhadra Dam getting washed away four months ago, leading to a huge loss of water into the river. Teams of engineers and experts replaced the gate within a few weeks of it getting washed away.
A senior engineer of the TB Dam said the present storage of water in the dam is 100 TMC feet. It is being released through the high level and low level main canals for irrigation and power generation purposes.
It is up to the AP and Karnataka governments to take a decision on when to take up the replacement of the 32 gates and in what manner. The gates have already outlived their estimated life by 25 years.
Sources told Deccan Chronicle that the Tungabhadra Dam is spending huge amounts on maintenance of gates every year. This has reportedly been a source of income for a section of those in authority.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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