Maharashtra keeps Tummidihatti barrage proposal pending

Hyderabad: Contrary to the Congress government’s claims over the Tummidihatti barrage, Maharashtra has kept Telangana’s proposal pending and said it would independently assess the impact of the proposed construction before taking a decision. The Telangana government has been seeking to increase the barrage height from 148 metres to 152 metres.

However, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who met his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Monday, claimed that the neighbouring State had responded positively to Telangana’s appeal. “Concluded very productive talks with Devendra Fadnavisji regarding increasing the FRL height of Tummidihatti barrage. I am grateful to my friend Fadnavisji for considering our proposal positively and with a big heart,” Revanth Reddy said on X.

The proposed increase in barrage height has been a contentious issue between the two States. Telangana has maintained that a barrage at 148 metres would not facilitate the drawing of large quantities of water. Maharashtra, meanwhile, has expressed concern over the submergence of villages, the impact on wildlife and other issues.

The Telangana government has construed Maharashtra’s response as positive. However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis has only suggested forming a joint committee comprising the Chief Secretaries and Water Resources Department Secretaries of both States. The committee would examine the technical aspects of the proposal and the potential submergence area in Maharashtra.

“If the project did not adversely affect Maharashtra or its people, this government would have no hesitation in supporting Telangana in meeting its water requirements, in the larger spirit of national interest,” Fadnavis stated.

However, the actual submergence area following the earlier approval was found to be larger than anticipated, making a detailed impact assessment necessary, Fadnavis explained.

The proposed committee would examine the barrage height, water availability, submergence implications, affected agricultural lands, compensation requirements and other technical matters. It would also assess the concerns of both States regarding the extent of submergence and the possible impact on land and local communities.

“If Telangana raises objections in Maharashtra’s assessment, officials of both States will discuss the issues. Expert opinion will also be sought, if necessary,” Fadnavis said, according to reports. He said the Central Water Commission (CWC) would continue its technical examinations and studies within its jurisdiction. Maharashtra would submit its views based on facts when the commission sought the State’s opinion, he added.