A delegation from Telangana led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Fadnavis in Mumbai and discussed the construction of Tummadihatti dam on the Pranahita river on the Telangana-Maharashtra border. In this discussion, the proposal to increase the height of the dam, availability of water, impact of submergence and other technical aspects were discussed.
According to the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the meeting was attended by Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chief Secretaries of both the states and senior officials of irrigation departments.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra expressed willingness to reconsider Telangana's request.
However, he stressed that a number of technical, environmental and administrative steps need to be completed before a final conclusion can be reached.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister said that if the project does not have any adverse impact on Maharashtra or its people, his government will not hesitate to help Telangana meet its water needs, keeping in mind the national interest.
Uttam Kumar Reddy gave a detailed presentation highlighting the historical importance, cultural heritage, social status and economic backwardness of the former Adilabad district.
He elaborated that the 2016 agreement, which provided for a dam of 148 meters height, would not adequately meet the irrigation needs of the region.
The Minister emphasized that the current challenges related to energy requirements, power costs, environmental concerns, climate change and long-term operational sustainability have made it necessary to find solutions that can make maximum use of gravity for water transportation.
He presented the technical and operational benefits of construction of Tummadihatti Dam at a height of 152 meters and described it as the most viable solution to meet the water requirements of the area.
The Minister further informed that the Telangana Government is ready to compensate the farmers of Maharashtra for the agricultural lands affected by submergence as per the land acquisition guidelines and compensation policies applicable in Maharashtra.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the proposed dam could act as a physical bridge connecting the two states, thereby strengthening connectivity and economic cooperation between communities on both sides of the border.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra proposed the formation of a joint committee of officials under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretaries of the Irrigation Departments of both the states.
The committee will examine the height of the proposed dam, water availability, impact of submergence, agricultural land affected, compensation requirements and other technical matters.
The Committee will also examine the assessments and concerns of both States regarding the extent of submergence and the potential impact on land and local communities, including consideration of alternative measures, if necessary.
The Chief Minister suggested that officials and technical experts from both the states work together to prepare a clear timeline and action plan for further discussions and necessary action.
The upcoming meetings, technical consultations and further strategy will be decided by officials and experts from both the states.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy invited his Maharashtra counterpart to participate in the Invest Telangana Global Summit, which is scheduled to be held at Future City, Hyderabad on December 7, 8 and 9.