CM Siddaramaiah issues direction to restore damaged crest gate of Tungabhadra reservoir in 3-4 days
Koppal (Karnataka), Aug 13: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he has asked officials and experts to fix within three to four days the damaged crest gate of Tungabhadra reservoir so that water from expected rains can be stored.
After inspecting the dam, he also assured that there is no need for farmers to worry. "I'm confident that Tungabhadra dam will be filled once again and I will come to offer 'Bagina' (traditional thanksgiving to the river). No politics on this issue."
One of the crest gates (19th gate) of the Tungabhadra reservoir in Koppal district was washed away after its chain link snapped on Friday midnight, following which the downstream areas were put on alert, as a huge quantity of water was being released.
"We were releasing water through ten gates, which included the 19th gate. The 19th gate got washed away after its chain link snapped...we have consulted dam safety experts and the repair works are on. Based on the advice of experts, the Tungabhadra Board will take appropriate decisions," Siddaramaiah told reporters.
ALSO READ: Tunga Reservoir gate chain link found weak; engineers, irrigation corporation officers inspect
He assured that there won't be any problem for farmers in the three states -- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who have sown crops, as water is flowing through all the canals and there will be any damage to crops. "There is no need for farmers to worry."
"...from August 17-18 there are expectations of above normal rains. I have asked experts to complete the work in three to four days, so that we can store the water from the expected rains, as we need 90 tmcft of water for standing crops. The government is at it, we want to complete the work at the earliest and want to ensure that farmers don't face any trouble. It is our responsibility," he added.
The dam is managed by the Tungabhadra Board with representatives from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana government representatives being its members; the Central Water Commission (CWC) appointee is the Chairman.
Andhra Pradesh Minister of Finance Payyavula Keshav, Minister for Water Resources Development Nimmala Ramanaidu, also MPs and legislators from that state were present during the Chief Minister's visit and his interaction with media.
Noting that the dam construction work began in 1948 and got completed in 1953, and from 1954 water is being released to canals, the Chief Minister said, "the dam is aged about 70 years. So far there was no chain link snap in this dam's 33 gates, now it has happened for the first time in the 19th gate."
This year the dam had received 115 tmcft of water out of which 25 tmcft was released through canals for fields of farmers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he said. "For the first crop, 90 tmcft water is required and the dam currently has 90 tmcft of water. As of today there won't be any trouble for the first crop."
From the damaged 19th gate 35,000 cusecs water is flowing out, Siddaramaiah said, adding, "without reducing the water level, repair work cannot be done. We have to bring down the water level at the dam to 1,621 ft from 1,629 ft; when we do that 64 tmcft of water will remain in the dam and with that we will have to complete the repair work. "
It will take a minimum of four to five days for chain and gate to be installed and the repair work to be completed, he further said, adding that "The work has began since yesterday, gate will be ready tomorrow, Narayana Engineering, Hindustan Engineering and Jindal are involved in the work ."
Noting that it is for the first time in 70 years the chain link has snapped, the Chief Minister, citing experts, said it has to be changed at least once in 50 years. "Now, based on expert advice, the board and all the three state governments -- will follow things."
To a question as to who will be held responsible for the incident, Siddaramaiah said it will be looked into.
"The board maintains the dam, the board is headed by a Chief Engineer level officer appointed by the central government. Representatives of the Central Water Commission and all the three states are part of the board. Was there any fault of dereliction of duty on their part will be looked into," he added.
Noting that a detailed project report (DPR) worth about Rs 15,000 crore has been prepared for the Navali balancing reservoir across Tungabhadra river, the Chief Minister said it has been sent to the board, which will seek the opinion of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "If they give their approval, we will start the project. It is a multi state dam "
Earlier speaking to reporters on his arrival, Siddaramaiah rejected opposition BJP's criticism of his government being "irresponsible" in managing the dam, saying "the dam is managed by the board, whose head is appointed by the Government of India....I don't want to do politics on this issue."
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಹೊಸಪೇಟೆಯ ತುಂಗಭದ್ರಾ ಅಣೆಕಟ್ಟಿನ ಕ್ರಸ್ಟ್ ಗೇಟ್ ಮುರಿದಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿನೀಡಿ, ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. pic.twitter.com/mjX92NzW6U
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 13, 2024
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Ramesh Bidhuri expresses regret as row erupts over his 'roads like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks' remarks
New Delhi, Jan 5: BJP candidate from Kalkaji Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday drew flak for his remarks that he would make roads which are like Congress leader "Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks" in his constituency, with the Congress demanding an apology from him for "insulting women" and some leaders in his party also expressing their disapproval.
Bidhuri, who has courted controversies in the past too over his statements, initially remained defiant, pointing to similar remarks by RJD leader Lalu Prasad on actor and BJP MP Hema Malini.
However, he later posted a message on X expressing regret if his comments had hurt anyone and stated that his remarks had been misconstrued by some for political gains.
"Lalu said in Bihar that he would make roads like Hema Malini's cheeks, but he lied, he could not do it.
"I assure you that just as we made the roads in Okhla and Sangam Vihar, we will make all the roads in Kalkaji like Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks," Bidhuri is heard saying in the purported video, which went viral on social media.
The Congress condemned the remarks, alleging it reflected the "anti-women" mentality of the BJP.
"Ramesh Bidhuri's statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only extremely shameful but shows their ugly anti-women thinking. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment?
"Not only Bidhuri, but the BJP's top leadership should apologise with folded hands," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, adding it was not only an insult to Priyanka Gandhi but to all women.
Asked about the Congress' demand for an apology, Bidhuri sought to defend himself by saying, "If this is a mistake, then the one who committed it first should apologise. Isn't Hema Malini a woman?"
Accusing the Congress of hypocrisy, he said, "Hema Malini was from a simple family, is she not a woman? The one who is from a known family is a woman, how is it possible?
"Hema Malini is from the South, does that mean that she is not a woman. Everybody should get respect. ... they should have made him (Lalu Prasad) apologise, they did not ask for it because she was from a simple family. It is their hypocrisy," Bidhuri told reporters.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva stressed that such statements should be avoided and said all should follow proper conduct regarding language and respect for women, while reminding the Congress of the objectionable statements by its leaders and allies in the past.
"I have not heard the entire statement of Ramesh Bidhuri but I think that all the women, who are in politics, face a lot of difficulties.
"So, we should not make such statements and should exercise restraint in our language. I would also tell the Congress that when such remarks are made against our MP Hema Malini, you don't stop it. Having said that, respect for women and maintaining control over our language is our duty and such statements are not welcomed by us," he said.
BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, "A politician should say anything after giving a thought to it."
As the row escalated, Bidhuri, a former two-time MP from South Delhi and three-term MLA from Tughalqabad, in a post on X claimed that his remarks were being misinterpreted by some for political gain.
"It was not my intention to insult anyone. Still, if any person has been hurt then I express regret," Bidhuri said.
Delhi chief minister and AAP candidate from Kalkaji Atishi slammed the BJP, accusing it of fielding an "anti-women" candidate from the constituency.
"I believe that not only the people of Kalkaji but also the citizens of Delhi, especially the women, will give a fitting response to the BJP for these comments and this mindset in the upcoming elections," she said.
Such remarks not only degrade public discourse but also reflect a larger issue of "misogyny" within the BJP, she charged.
Congress candidate from Kalkaji and Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba lashed out at Bidhuri, accusing him of "insulting" women once again in his "usual indecent language".
"Will the public in Kalkaji have such (a person) who cares neither for the dignity of the House (Parliament) nor respects the women," she said in a post on X.
The Mahila Congress workers led by Lamba also torched an effigy of Bidhuri.
The statement was made by Bidhuri during campaigning in Kalkaji constituency on Saturday, one of his aides said.
The elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are due next month.
Bidhuri is not new to controversies surrounding his public statements. Last year, he invited widespread condemnation over his outburst against then BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha.
The BJP leader had expressed regret for his objectionable remarks in a meeting of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee, after a complaint was filed against him.
