CM Revanth Reddy reviewed the proposed Tummidihatti barrage on the Pranahita on Tuesday at his Jubilee Hills residence, with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy.
What the CM directed
- Do not object if Maharashtra conducts its own submergence survey.
- Pay adequate compensation for land submerged in Maharashtra; Telangana is ready to deposit funds in a joint account of the two states.
- Prepare full details of the submerged areas and share all documents, including existing agreements, with Maharashtra.
- Keep relations cordial and continue the dialogue.
Background
Revanth Reddy and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met in Mumbai on October 26 and agreed on a joint committee of both states' principal irrigation secretaries to study height, water availability and submergence. The 2016 agreement set the barrage at 148 metres; Telangana wants 152 metres. The South First estimates submergence in Maharashtra at about 350–400 acres at 148 metres and 3,700–4,000 acres at 152 metres. Fadnavis has said Maharashtra has not agreed and that submergence is higher than earlier estimates.
The BRS view
Former irrigation minister Harish Rao said on October 26 that the Central Water Commission had told the earlier government three times that 160 TMC was not available at Tummidihatti, and that water is available only at Medigadda. He claimed the government plans to spend about ₹25,000 crore on the project. No BRS response to Tuesday's decision was available.
