Naidu to inaugurate new spillway gates at Tungabhadra Project on June 25

The Tungabhadra Project, a lifeline for irrigation and drinking water supply in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, has been rejuvenated with the installation of 33 new spillway gates at a cost of ₹51 crore.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the newly installed gates on June 25 along with Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

The restoration exercise was taken up after Gate No. 19 was washed away during heavy floods in August 2024, triggering concerns about the safety and operational efficiency of the 73-year-old dam. To prevent the immediate loss of water following the incident, the Andhra Pradesh government, on the directions of Mr. Naidu, deployed senior engineer Kannayya Naidu to oversee the installation of a stop-log gate as a temporary measure.

Subsequently, the National Dam Safety Authority recommended the replacement of all spillway gates. Acting on the recommendation, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka jointly undertook the replacement of all 33 gates and completed the work within six months.

The Tungabhadra Project plays a vital role in meeting the irrigation and drinking water needs of the three States. In Andhra Pradesh alone, it irrigates about 1.46 lakh hectares. Water released through the right canal supports agriculture in Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur districts.

Officials said the new gates have substantially enhanced the safety and reliability of the reservoir, ensuring uninterrupted water supply to lakhs of farmers and hundreds of villages dependent on the project.

Following the inauguration, the dignitaries will participate in a public meeting at Hosapete in Karnataka.