Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on June 25 said that Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana arrived at a historic consensus to safeguard the interests of farmers dependent on the Tungabhadra river basin, as the newly replaced 33 spillway gates of the Tungabhadra reservoir were formally inaugurated at Hosapete in Vijayanagara district.

Addressing a gathering at Munirabad in Koppal district, after the inauguration of the newly-installed spillway gates, Mr. Shivakumar said the three States had held extensive discussions on issues concerning the reservoir, and the larger interests of farmers in the command area.

He said the deliberations covered key concerns raised by farmer organisations and representatives, including the proposed Navali balancing reservoir, and the need to remove accumulated silt from the reservoir to improve water conservation and storage. He said the three States had reached a broad understanding on measures required to protect farmers’ interests in the Tungabhadra basin, and that the final decisions taken at the meeting would be formally announced by the Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

Calling the day an important moment in the history of the Water Resources Department, the Chief Minister said the coming together of the three riparian States reflected a shared commitment to protecting water rights and ensuring the welfare of farmers dependent on the Tungabhadra project. He said the focus of the discussions had been on finding a collective solution to irrigation-related concerns affecting farmers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Recalling last year’s crisis at the reservoir, Mr. Shivakumar referred to the washout of Crest Gate No. 19 and said the government had moved swiftly to protect the dam and save water for farmers. He said he had rushed to the dam site early the next morning after receiving information about the emergency and that the government acted quickly to restore stability and prevent further damage. He said the successful replacement of the damaged gate and the subsequent decision to replace all the 33 gates had helped reassure farmers in the region.

He said the decision to replace all the spillway gates had been taken keeping in mind the long-term safety of the reservoir and the interests of farmers across the Tungabhadra command area. Referring to the participation of the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the programme, he described the event as a symbol of inter-State cooperation in addressing common water concerns.

The inauguration of the 33 newly installed spillway gates marks the culmination of a major rehabilitation exercise undertaken after the washout of Gate No. 19 in August 2024, an incident that had triggered widespread concern over the safety of the ageing gate system and the availability of irrigation water in the command area.

The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Karnataka Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil were also present. Senior ministers, legislators and officials of the three States, besides representatives of the Tungabhadra Board and the Central Water Commission, took part in the programme.