Maharashtra will independently assess Telangana’s Thumidihatti irrigation project, including a proposal to raise the project height from 148 metres to 152 metres, after concerns emerged over the extent of land that could be submerged in Maharashtra.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. Telangana’s Water Resources Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and officials from both states also attended the discussions.
A joint committee comprising the chief secretaries and water resources department secretaries of Maharashtra and Telangana will examine the technical aspects of the proposal. Its assessment will cover the likely submergence area, the possible inclusion of a relevant wildlife sanctuary and the extent of land required outside the riverbed.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra would take a constructive approach towards cooperation with Telangana while protecting the interests of its citizens. He said the state had previously adopted a positive position on Telangana’s proposal, but later observations indicated that the actual submergence area linked to the earlier approval was larger than initially anticipated.
The revised assessment is therefore required before Maharashtra takes a final position on the proposed increase in the project’s height. Fadnavis said Maharashtra would have no objection to a positive decision if another state benefited without causing harm to its citizens, but added that the project’s impact would first have to be established through a detailed technical review.
The committee will also consider environmental implications and the land requirements associated with changes to the project site. If Telangana identifies objections or shortcomings in Maharashtra’s assessment, officials from both states will discuss them. Expert opinions may also be sought if required, Fadnavis said.
Questions concerning water allocation and statutory clearances fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Water Commission, according to the Maharashtra chief minister. He said Maharashtra would present its position based on facts once the commission sought the state’s opinion.
The final decision on the project will be taken after the independent assessment and subsequent technical discussions. Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan attended the meeting virtually, while Telangana’s Water Resources Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy was present in person. Senior officials from both states, including Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, were also present.
