Comprehensive Review of Tungabhadra Dam Issues

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has constituted a nine-member high-power committee to conduct an in-depth study of the issues faced by states in the Tungabhadra river basin. Orders to this effect were issued on Monday by Joint Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh. The decision follows a high-level meeting held on the 25th of last month during the inauguration of new gates at the Tungabhadra dam, attended by Union Minister C.R. Patil and the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka—Revanth Reddy, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and D.K. Shivakumar. Discussions focused on water utilization, inter-state challenges, and the support required from the Centre.

The committee, chaired by a Central Water Commission member, includes senior officials from Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the Tungabhadra Board. It has been directed to submit its report within six months after consulting basin states and relevant bodies. The panel will examine legal, technical, operational, and institutional aspects, including irrigation needs under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, siltation impact, hydropower generation, flood control, and dam safety. It will also assess the feasibility of constructing a balancing reservoir downstream and consider tribunal awards and existing water-sharing agreements.