Maharashtra to Form Joint Committee on Tummidihatti Barrage
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasizes state interests while cooperating with Telangana on the barrage project.
Maharashtra prioritizes its interests in discussions about the Tummidihatti Barrage.
A joint committee will be established to assess the project's technical aspects and land impact.
Telangana seeks to raise the barrage height, potentially affecting 1,000 to 2,300 acres in Maharashtra.
On October 26, 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state would prioritize its own interests while collaborating with Telangana on the Tummidihatti Barrage project. This statement came during a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in Mumbai, where they discussed a proposal to increase the barrage's height from 148 meters to 152 meters.
The Tummidihatti Barrage is planned to be constructed on the Pranahita River in Telangana's Komaram Bheem Asifabad district. The project aims to address the long-standing drinking water and irrigation needs of northern Telangana, particularly benefiting historically marginalized tribal communities. However, the proposed height increase could result in the submergence of 1,000 to 2,300 acres of land in Maharashtra, raising concerns among local farmers. Telangana has pledged to compensate affected farmers according to Maharashtra's land acquisition and rehabilitation guidelines.
During the meeting, Fadnavis reiterated Maharashtra's commitment to resolving inter-state issues through cooperation but stressed that any agreement must not adversely affect Maharashtra's citizens. He highlighted past instances where the actual submerged area in similar projects exceeded initial estimates, prompting the need for a comprehensive study of the new proposal's potential impacts.
To facilitate this, both Chief Ministers agreed to establish a joint committee comprising the Chief Secretaries and Water Resources Secretaries from both states. This committee will evaluate the technical details of the project, including the effects on submerged areas and any relevant wildlife sanctuaries. Fadnavis indicated that if Telangana raises any concerns regarding Maharashtra's study, discussions will take place to address these issues, potentially involving expert opinions.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) will oversee matters related to water allocation and necessary clearances. Maharashtra officials stated that the state would present its position based on factual findings once the CWC requests feedback. Future decisions regarding the Tummidihatti Barrage will depend on the outcomes of the independent study and technical discussions initiated by the joint committee.
