Bengaluru, 12 Aug

Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister DK Shivakumar has announced the commencement of repair work on the damaged crest gate of the Tungabhadra Dam.

To facilitate the repair process, the water level in the reservoir needs to be lowered,  he said.

Shivakumar, who visited the site, has roped in Jindal Company and other stakeholders to expedite the repair work. He assured the public that technicians are working round-the-clock to restore the dam to its optimal condition.

Addressing concerns about accountability, he clarified that the immediate priority is to ensure the safety of the dam and support farmers. Investigations into the cause of the damage will be initiated once the repair work is underway. The government is also working towards closing the crest gate to conserve water for agricultural purposes, but this can only be done after the water level is reduced.

Amidst criticism from former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy about issues at the KRS dam, Shivakumar dismissed the allegations as politicisation. He emphasised that the government has constituted a Reservoir Safety Committee to assess all dams in the State and assured farmers that there is no cause for alarm. Salar News