After functioning for over 70 years, well past their estimated 45-year lifespan—all 33 crest gates of the Tungabhadra Dam are set to be replaced. Following the damage to the 19th gate during last year’s peak monsoon, the Tungabhadra Board, based on expert safety recommendations, has floated tenders worth ₹80 crore for replacing the remaining 32 gates. The 19th gate replacement was already given to an Ahmedabad-based company for ₹1.6 crore, with work expected to be completed by May–June.
Tenders for the remaining gates were invited between April 19 and 25, and will be opened on April 28. The final contract will be awarded by May 2, and the entire project is planned for phased completion by June 2026, ensuring minimal disruption by working during the dry season.
As an inter-state project, the cost will be shared by Karnataka (55%) and the combined Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (45%). Experts, after an ultrasound scan, confirmed that 30–50% of the gates are in poor condition. To avoid further risks, they have advised not to store more than 80 TMC ft of water against the dam’s full capacity of 105.788 TMC ft until the replacements are complete.
Currently, only one crop will receive water in the upcoming irrigation year as a precaution. The TB Dam continues to be a lifeline for irrigation across 9.26 lakh acres in Karnataka, 6.25 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh, and 87,000 acres in Telangana, along with providing drinking water to several regions.
Superintending Engineer Narayan Naik confirmed that the tender for the 19th crest gate has already been awarded and tenders for the remaining 32 gates are now in process. Work is actively underway under the guidance of reservoir gate expert Kanhaiya Naidu.