Mumbai, Oct. 29 -- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai to discuss the proposed enhancement of the Tummidihatti Barrage on the Pranahita River along the Telangana-Maharashtra border. The meeting covered the proposed 152-metre height, water availability, submergence implications and related technical matters.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy presented the historical, cultural and socio-economic conditions of the erstwhile Adilabad district. He said tribal and Adivasi communities had faced prolonged developmental challenges and that efforts to provide irrigation to the region had continued since October 6, 1975.

The minister said the 148-metre height outlined in a 2016 agreement would not adequately meet the region's irrigation requirements. He cited energy needs, power costs, environmental concerns, climate change and long-term operational sustainability while presenting the 152-metre design as a solution that would make greater use of gravity for water conveyance. Telangana also offered compensation for agricultural land in Maharashtra affected by submergence, according to applicable land acquisition and compensation policies.

Reddy described the barrage as important to the social and economic development of the region and linked it to the long-standing demand for irrigation and drinking water. He also highlighted proposed defence and civilian airport facilities at Adilabad, saying they could support development in adjoining areas of Maharashtra and strengthen connectivity between the two states.

Fadnavis indicated that Maharashtra was willing to reconsider the request, while stressing that technical, environmental and administrative assessments were required before a final decision. He proposed a joint committee headed by the Principal Secretaries of the Irrigation Departments to examine the barrage height, water availability, submergence, affected land and compensation. The Central Water Commission will continue its technical studies. Reddy also invited Fadnavis to the Invest Telangana Global Summit in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9, an invitation the Maharashtra chief minister said he would try to accept.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.