Minor Irrigation Minister N.S. Bose Raju has directed officials to ensure that the crest gates of the Tungabhadra reservoir are installed by the end of June to prevent inconvenience to farmers.
Chairing a review meeting with officials in Munirabad on Tuesday, he said, “The Tungabhadra Board and department officers must work together and complete the crest gate installation within the set deadline.”
He noted that all the reservoir’s crest gates are slated for replacement, with 15 already fabricated. Andhra Pradesh has released ₹20 crore, while Karnataka has sought ₹10 crore. Contractors, he instructed, must complete the remaining 18 gates by June, with technical staff closely overseeing the work.
Officials briefed him that dismantling the gate covers will begin on December 5.
The minister added that about 7 TMC ft of water has to be released to Andhra Pradesh and 5 TMC ft to Telangana. This, he said, must be discussed within the Tungabhadra Board, as lowering the water level is essential for gate installation. A proposal for canal repair funds has also been sent to the Finance Department.
Former Minister Mallikarjuna Nagappa, Chief Engineer Lakshmana Naik, S.E. Satyanarayana, Shantraj, EE Godekar, Girish, Vijayalakshmi, and Congress leaders Shantappa Doddabasappa Gowda and Amaregowda were present.