The Tummidihatti barrage project has run into inter-state concerns over submergence and environmental impact, prompting Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to order a fresh technical assessment and pragmatic design solutions. The review comes as Telangana seeks to raise the barrage’s full reservoir level (FRL) from 148 metres to 152 metres to increase water storage and utilisation.
Reddy directed officials to prepare a comprehensive assessment of land that could be affected at different reservoir levels. The exercise will include detailed maps identifying riverbed areas, forests, eco-sensitive zones, protected core areas, revenue lands and habitations, according to the report by Times of India – Hyderabad.
The review followed recent discussions with Maharashtra over the proposed barrage. The FRL proposal was discussed during a meeting on October 26 between Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Maharashtra has raised concerns particularly related to possible submergence and environmental consequences of the project.
The Telangana minister asked officials to examine engineering modifications that could reduce the environmental impact while addressing Maharashtra’s objections and retaining the project’s irrigation objectives. The assessment is intended to establish the actual extent of submergence at different water levels rather than rely only on the project’s overall design assumptions.
The barrage has been designed to divert 77 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) of water. It is expected to support irrigation across 5.85 lakh acres in seven districts through an integrated system involving the Sundilla barrage and the Sripada Yellampalli project.
The proposed increase in the FRL would substantially expand the barrage’s storage capacity. At 148 metres, the storage capacity is reported at 2.182 TMC, while the proposed level of 152 metres would increase it to 5.697 TMC, more than doubling the storage potential.
The project assessment cited in the report indicates that the barrage would involve minimal submergence. It also states that rehabilitation and resettlement requirements could be addressed in both Telangana and Maharashtra even at the proposed 152-metre level. The detailed mapping exercise will now determine the extent of affected land, forests, protected areas and habitations before further decisions are taken.
