Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi to request the Central Government’s involvement in resolving a long-standing dispute with Maharashtra regarding the Tummidihetti Barrage’s height. The meeting took place on August 5 and was attended by Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy along with several Members of Parliament representing the state.

During the discussion, Revanth Reddy urged Minister Patil to facilitate direct communications with the Maharashtra government to approve the construction of the barrage at a height of 150 metres. This contrasts with the 148 metres that Maharashtra has reportedly agreed to. The Chief Minister indicated that the revised height would not significantly increase the submergence area, which is anticipated to remain under 1,000 hectares, thereby improving irrigation potential.

Reddy further expressed that raising the height of the barrage to 150 metres would enhance the project’s overall utility while avoiding major displacement or environmental issues. He placed an emphasis on the practical benefits this height adjustment would bring to the region.

Strategic Importance of the Barrage

The Tummidihetti Barrage is a critical element of Telangana’s irrigation strategy, particularly for the northern districts. The project aims to utilise water from the Pranahita River, which is a significant tributary of the Godavari River. It has faced several delays due to ongoing disagreements between Telangana and Maharashtra concerning the permissible Full Reservoir Level (FRL) and the affected submergence areas in Maharashtra.

Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Tummidihetti Barrage project has undergone multiple modifications. The Telangana government has consistently argued that increasing the barrage’s height would lead to enhanced irrigation coverage while keeping any additional submergence within acceptable limits.

Revanth Reddy elaborated on the advantages of a gravity-based irrigation system associated with the barrage. This system would alleviate the need for extensive lift irrigation infrastructure, thereby lowering project costs and energy requirements while also promoting sustainable water management practices.

Request for Proactive Central Role

In his conversation with Minister Patil, Chief Minister Reddy stressed the necessity for the Centre to take a proactive stance in mediating the inter-state issue. He requested that the government initiate consultations with Maharashtra to expedite the implementation of the project.

Reddy underscored that a timely resolution would significantly boost irrigation development, enhance water availability for agricultural purposes, and ultimately benefit farmers across the region. He expressed hope that the central government’s involvement would pave the way for a quicker solution to the dispute, which has been pending for several years.

The Tummidihetti Barrage project not only constitutes a vital part of Telangana’s irrigation framework but also has broader implications for the agricultural landscape of the region. Reddy’s appeal for intervention highlights the complexities involved in inter-state water resource management and the need for coordinated efforts to resolve such disputes.

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