Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, on Sunday, 3 May said that the installation of all 33 new crest gates at the Tungabhadra Dam in Vijayanagara district is nearly complete, with officials directed to finish remaining work by 7 May and prepare for a formal inauguration on 15 May. Shivakumar made the remarks after personally inspecting the installation work at the dam site.

"All 33 new gates of the Tungabhadra Dam have been installed and only a small portion of the work is remaining. Instructions have been given to complete this work by May 7 and prepare for the inauguration on May 15," Shivakumar told reporters.

What the Gate Replacement Means for Farmers

The Deputy Chief Minister described the occasion as a milestone for the region's agrarian communities. "Today is a very happy day. The livelihoods of 7.50 lakh farmers have been protected," he said, adding that farmers from four districts would be invited for the inauguration programme.

The dam currently holds 10.50 TMC of water, and Shivakumar projected that if rains arrive as expected, the reservoir could fill to 44 TMC within two months. The total expenditure on the gate replacement project stands at ₹54 crore, shared between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in a 64:34 ratio.

Shivakumar acknowledged the sacrifice made by farmers during the work period. "The farmers understood our situation and sacrificed one of their crops. I salute them for their cooperation," he said. He also positioned the project as a national model, noting that the entire country had been watching the installation — particularly after the 19th crest gate was damaged and expert guidance had to be sought.

Safety Upgrades and Chain Replacement

Beyond the gate installation, Shivakumar announced that ₹300 crore has been allocated to improve the safety of other irrigation projects in the state. He said he has instructed that the dam's chains be replaced as a precautionary measure, even though they were assessed to be functional. The replacement responsibility has been assigned to a Chennai-based organisation, with the first batch of chains expected to arrive shortly.

"These gates will function without trouble for the next 50 years," Shivakumar stated, underscoring the long-term intent of the upgrade.

Navali Project: Andhra CM Delays Board-Level Talks

On the pending Navali balancing reservoir project and silt removal, Shivakumar flagged a diplomatic impasse with the neighbouring state. "The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is not giving us time on this matter. The Andhra CM is not coming forward to discuss this at the board level. He is getting more water now, so he is not interested. Whatever decision needs to be made must be taken in the board," he said.

He also noted that Karnataka has a proposal under consideration to pump surplus water and store it at an alternative location, pending resolution at the inter-state board. This comes amid longstanding coordination challenges between the two states over shared water resources under the Tungabhadra Board.

Silt Removal and Dam Height: Government's Stance

Asked whether silt could be removed using the Chinese model, Shivakumar said the matter is more complex than it appears. "Removing this silt and dumping it elsewhere is not a simple matter. It needs to be given to private parties. Private players will take it up only if it is profitable. Where would the removed silt be deposited? If it is to be given to private parties, a global tender must be called," he explained.

On proposals to increase the dam's height, the Deputy Chief Minister was categorical: "We will not touch that matter. We are looking for ways to save the water that is currently being wasted within the existing system." He also declined to comment on the technical implications of the gate size having been increased by two feet, saying he did not wish to "create controversy" on a technical question.

Shivakumar also said he would seek a report on allegations of dam water pollution linked to industrial discharge. Separately, he confirmed that the state Cabinet has directed all 86,000 pending files to be disposed of at the earliest, with government orders to be issued accordingly. With the inauguration date now set, attention turns to whether the inter-state Navali dispute can be resolved through board-level dialogue before the next monsoon season.