The Tungabhadra Board has directed contractors to ensure the replacement of all 33 crest gates of the dam by next June, warning against any delays.
Board Chairman S.N. Pandey, Chief Engineer Ashok L. Vasanad, and Secretary O.R.K. Reddy issued the instructions on Wednesday while reviewing the gate construction work at Adavisomapur near Gadag.
On August 10 last year, the 19th crest gate was washed away, prompting the installation of a temporary gate within a week. Experts had advised replacing the remaining 32 gates of the 72-year-old dam, but no further work was undertaken.
The new 19th crest gate was readied and brought to the dam site on June 21 this year. However, high water levels in the reservoir stalled its installation. The replacement work is expected to start after the monsoon, once water storage drops to 40 TMC ft, likely by November.