Hyderabad, Oct 26 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday thanked his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis for positively considering the request to increase the height of Telangana’s Thummidihetti project, from 148 metres to 152 metres.
Reddy, who held talks with Fadnavis in Mumbai, said the negotiations were very productive.
“Shri Fadnavis has assured us that even while looking after the interests of his own state and people, in larger national interest, he would do his best to help us positively transform the lives of people, especially tribal communities in erstwhile #Adilabad district,” he said in a post on X.
Telangana Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy made a detailed presentation explaining the state government’s case, he said.
Both sides have agreed to set up a Committee of Officials to look into various technical issues, including the extent of submerged lands, Revanth Reddy said.
Fadnavis said in Mumbai that Maharashtra will independently assess the impact of Thummidihetti irrigation project, including the proposed increase in its height to 152 metres, before taking a decision.
A joint committee comprising the chief secretaries and water resources department secretaries of both states will examine technical aspects and the potential submergence area in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said after the meeting with Revanth Reddy.
The Telangana CM and state Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy requested Maharashtra’s approval for increasing the project’s height.
“Maharashtra has consistently favoured resolving issues between neighbouring states through mutual cooperation. The state would have no objection to a positive decision if it does not cause losses to Maharashtra’s residents and benefits the neighbouring state,” Fadnavis said.
Telangana is seeking Maharashtra’s consent as the proposed Tummidihetti barrage would cause submergence in the neighbouring state.
The project has been stalled over the proposed height of the barrage. Maharashtra had earlier agreed to a height of around 148 metres, while Telangana wants a level of 150-152 metres to improve irrigation coverage.
Revanth Reddy had earlier said an FRL (full reservoir level) of 152 metres would allow water to flow to the Yellampalli project by gravity, reducing electricity consumption and pumping costs.
The barrage is intended to revive the irrigation objectives of the Pranahita-Chevella scheme, which aims to supply water to northern Telangana.
(PTI News)
