The government is set to begin replacing the 33 crest gates of the Tungabhadra dam on Friday, following the washing away of gate number 19 during last year’s floods.
According to officials, the installation of new gates will start once the water level drops from the current 68 tmc ft to 40 tmc ft. “The process of removing the outer covering of the gates will begin on Friday. Full-scale replacement work is expected to commence in the third week of December,” section engineer Kiran told farmer leaders during their visit to the site on Wednesday.
He added that seven gates are being assembled in Hosapete and another seven in Gadag. One gate is already ready and kept at the dam site, while three of the Gadag-assembled gates have arrived in Munirabad. Four more gates are being prepared in Ahmedabad.
Kiran said each old gate will be replaced as soon as the corresponding new one reaches the TB dam. Removing an old gate takes seven days, and installing a new one requires another seven. All 33 crest gates of the seven-decade-old reservoir are expected to be replaced by June next year.