Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the central government to persuade Maharashtra to permit an increase in the height of the Tummidihatti barrage on the Pranahita river. He stated that this change would not cause any submergence problems for the neighbouring state.
Accompanied by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Chief Minister met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday and highlighted the importance of the Tummidihatti project for Telangana. He mentioned a state government letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was forwarded to the Jal Shakti Ministry.
Mr. Revanth Reddy noted that both states had agreed to build the barrage at 148 metres. Research by the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Centre showed that raising the height to 152 metres would not create submergence issues, as more than half the affected area would remain within the riverbed.
He argued that keeping the height at 148 metres would limit water release volumes and asked the Centre to convince Maharashtra to allow an increase to 150-152 metres. This would enable gravity-based water flow and reduce electricity pumping costs. Completion of the project would supply water to the backward Adilabad district.
Mr. Patil confirmed receipt of the letter from the Prime Minister’s Office and announced that a Central Water Commission meeting would be held soon, followed by official-level talks and a meeting between the irrigation ministers of both states.
