Tungabhadra Dam Gate Broken: Temporary Gate Leaks as Repairs Face Further Delay

Concerns are mounting at the Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete of Vijayanagar district after the 19th crest gate, which was washed away on August 10, 2024, remains unrepaired nearly a year later. Although a new 49-tonne gate assembled at Adavisomapura near Gadag has finally arrived, officials say installation won't begin until November, as water levels have reached the bed concrete level, making any structural work impossible at the moment.

Temporary Fix Now Failing

Following the original gate's delay to fix on time, officials had installed a stop-log gate as a temporary solution. That gate is now showing signs of strain, with leaks reported through the structure. This raises alarms as the reservoir currently holds 44.4 TMC of water, with an inflow of over 30,000 cusecs reported in recent days.

Long Tender Delays, Missed Deadlines

What was initially a short-term fix turned into a prolonged process. It took 10 months just to complete the tender formalities, delaying gate fabrication and delivery. Gujarat-based Hardware Tools and Machinery Projects Pvt. Ltd., which won the contract to replace all 33 gates, fabricated the 19th gate at Adavisomapura near Gadag and transported it to the site only in late June.

The gate-crafted from Vizag Steel, measuring 20 feet long and 60 feet wide, and weighing 48-49 tonnes-was constructed by 20 skilled workers over 15 days. However, dam officials now confirm that installation can begin only after the monsoon, possibly in October or November.

Why the Installation Can't Start Yet

According to officials from the Tungabhadra Dam Board, ongoing inflow of over 30,000 cusecs and a full reservoir make it impossible to begin structural work. "The stop-log gate should hold through this monsoon, but we'll begin installing the permanent gate in November," confirmed Secretary O R K Reddy.

The gate was manufactured at Adavisomapura near Gadag and is made from Vizag Steel. It measures 20 feet in height and 60 feet in width, comprising nine steel sections. It took 20 skilled workers around 15 days to assemble it.

Broader Impact Across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana

The Tungabhadra Reservoir is a lifeline for over 13 lakh acres of farmland across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It also supplies water to numerous cities, towns, and industries across Ballari, Koppal, Vijayanagara, and Raichur districts. With the Tungabhadra Dam gate broken and full repairs delayed, water management, flood control, and irrigation planning are now at risk.

According to CADA Chairman Hasansab Dotihal, the failure of the original gate led to a massive loss of 40 TMC of water downstream last year before temporary measures were put in place. A repeat of such a failure could be disastrous, especially during peak inflow months.

Replacement Plan for All 33 Gates

The damaged 19th gate is one of 33 crest gates at the Tungabhadra Dam, most of which are over 70 years old. As part of a long-term plan, the same company that supplied the 19th gate is contracted to replace all remaining gates in phases. Officials estimate that only 10 gates can be replaced each month, using a two-team system: one for dismantling and another for installation.

Locals and experts are now questioning the delayed response, pointing to systemic failures in dam maintenance and preparedness. The leaking temporary gate has only intensified these concerns, especially as monsoon rains continue to swell the river.