From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Koppal, Aug 13: The Tungabhadra dam, which lost enormous quantity of water due to washing away of the Crest Gate Number 19 on account of heavy rains, is expected to be filled up again, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said quoting weather forecasts at Ginigere in Koppal on Tuesday.

Though the loss of water due to the problem in the crest gate was a matter of serious concern, he said farmers need not worry as the reservoir is expected to be filled up again as per weather forecasts.

The Chief Minister, who arrived in Koppal by helicopter to inspect the situation at the Tungabhadra dam, refuted opposition BJP’s charges that the washing away of the crest gate was due to negligence of the government.

The crest gates were installed several years ago using old technology which is not in vogue at present, he said the management of the Tungabhadra dam and its crest gates was looked after by the Tungabhadra Board involving Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

“The Tungabhadra Board is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Government of India. Members from Andhra, Karnataka, Telangana states are also on the board. The responsibility of managing this reservoir belongs to the Tungabhadra Board,” he explained.

Though BJP sees politics in everything, including the management of the Tungabhadra Board, must remember that it is an inter-state matter even though the dam is within the State.

“I don't blame anyone in this matter,” he said.

He mentioned that currently 105 TMC of water is filled in Tungabhadra Reservoir. But for repairing the broken gate, 50 to 60 TMC of water has to be released. It will rain till October this year and the reservoir is likely to be refilled. As per the weather forecast, rain is expected again after August 15.

Therefore, the wasted water will be soon filled in the reservoir again and the farmers will not face any kind of problem, he said.