Tungabhadra Dam gates replacement progressing at a fast pace, says Minister

Minister for Finance Payyavula Keshav on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) stated that the work on replacing the Tungabhadra Dam gates is progressing at a fast pace, and that the removal of 33 gates and their replacement with new ones in a single season is a record of sorts.

Mr. Keshav, along with Government Chief Whip Kaluva Srinivasulu and officials, inspected the ongoing installation works of TB dam gates at Hospet in neighbouring Karnataka. The gate number 19 of the dam was washed away in the year 2024 and was temporarily replaced then. Last year, the works on replacement of all the 33 gates was taken up following their deteriorating state.

Speaking to media persons after inspecting the works, Mr. Keshav said that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had instructed them to “go all out” to replace the gates. This prompted them to take up the works at a faster pace, and they will be setting a record by replacing all 33 gates in a single season. “The company involved in the works is expected to complete them before the deadline,” he said, adding that the pace of works reflects the government’s commitment to protect the interests of the farmers.

Mr. Keshav said that last year they had completed the works on Handri-Neeva canal expansion and proved that they deliver rather than making promises. “The previous government, on the other hand, ignored the irrigation sector and failed to respond even after the projects and their gates were washed away,” he said, adding that their government had immediately swung into action to take up repairs on TB dam and protected the interests of the farmers.

Mr. Keshav said that the process of replacing all the gates in a single season is a major task and the shifting of 60 feet gates to the dam was a challenge. Irrigation experts like Kannayya Naidu and also engineers of Central Water Commission were involved in the process, he said, adding that the works were taken up in consultation with the Karnataka government.

He said that 18 gates were already installed and welding works will start soon. “We had set a target of completing the works by May this year but we are hopeful that they will be completed before May,” he said. It was also agreed between the two States to modernise the canals to ensure there was no wastage of water, he added.

Later, Mr. Keshav inspected the 803 metre Dharoji tunnel of the high level canal that supplies water to Rayalaseema region from the TB Dam. Government Chief Whip Kaluva Srinivasulu said that it is equally challenging to replace gates of a project as constructing a new one.