CM Revanth Pushes for Centre's Intervention in Tummidihatti Project Row

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has sought the Centre's intervention to resolve the long-pending dispute with Maharashtra over the height of the proposed Tummidihatti Barrage, saying an early settlement is crucial for expanding irrigation across the state's northern districts. The issue was raised during his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with several Telangana MPs, was also present.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to facilitate discussions with Maharashtra to allow construction of the barrage at a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 150 metres, instead of the 148 metres approved earlier by the neighbouring state. He explained that raising the FRL by two metres would result in less than 1,000 hectares of additional submergence, while significantly increasing the project's irrigation potential and water storage capacity.

According to Revanth Reddy, the revised design would substantially improve the project's efficiency without triggering major rehabilitation or environmental concerns. He said the higher FRL would enable a gravity-based water distribution system, reducing dependence on large-scale lift irrigation infrastructure. Such a system would lower capital expenditure, cut recurring electricity costs and ensure more sustainable water management over the long term.

The Chief Minister also pointed to technical studies carried out by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, which indicated that increasing the barrage height would have only a marginal impact on submergence while delivering significant operational advantages. He requested the Centre to convene discussions between Telangana and Maharashtra to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution and prevent further delays to the project.

The Tummidihatti Barrage, proposed across the Pranahita River the largest tributary of the Godavari forms a vital part of Telangana's long-term irrigation strategy. Originally conceived under the Pranahita-Chevella Irrigation Project, the scheme has remained stalled for years due to differences between the two states over the permissible reservoir level and the extent of submergence in Maharashtra. The disagreement led to a redesign of the project after the neighbouring state approved only a 148-metre FRL, prompting Telangana to seek a revised proposal backed by fresh technical assessments.

Highlighting the project's strategic importance, Revanth Reddy said the barrage would improve irrigation coverage, strengthen water security and help Telangana make better use of its allocated Godavari river waters. He stressed that timely intervention by the Centre would help resolve the inter-state issue, accelerate construction and deliver long-term benefits to farmers across the region through a technically viable and economically efficient irrigation system.