T’gana–Maha Tummidi Hatti talks positive

1. Telangana presses for 152-metre barrage; technical data on submergence to be shared with Maharashtra
2. Water availability, inter-State safeguards to be examined; next round of talks likely in third week of September

metro india news  I new delhi

The Central Water Commission-sponsored inter-State talks between Telangana and Maharashtra over the proposed Tummidihatti barrage across the Pranahita River concluded on a positive note on Tuesday, raising hopes of progress towards resolving the long-pending issues surrounding the project. CWC Chairman Anupam Prasad chaired the meeting, which extensively discussed Telangana’s proposal to construct the barrage at a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 152 metres, the consequent submergence in Maharashtra, availability of Pranahita waters and safeguards required to protect projects and interests of both States.

The Telangana delegation comprised Advisor on Irrigation Adityanath Das, Irrigation Secretary  E. Sridhar, Engineer-in-Chief (General) O. V. Ramesh Babu and other senior irrigation and technical officials. Maharashtra was represented by two key officials dealing with the project. Though no final decision was taken, officials described the deliberations as constructive and encouraging, with the CWC facilitating a detailed examination of the outstanding technical and inter-State issues. Another round of discussions is likely in the third week of September.

A key focus of Tuesday’s meeting was Maharashtra’s concern over submergence resulting from the proposed 152-metre FRL. Telangana presented its technical position and explained the studies conducted on the likely impact at different levels. The Telangana delegation maintained that the additional submergence caused by increasing the level from 148 metres to 152 metres would be marginal and could be addressed through appropriate technical measures and safeguards.

The CWC Chairman asked Telangana to share the detailed submergence data and supporting studies with the Maharashtra Government to enable its technical authorities to examine the findings. Telangana agreed to provide the required information before the next round of consultations.

The State also assured the meeting that it was committed to ensuring that the proposed barrage would not adversely affect projects in Maharashtra or other upstream and downstream interests. Appropriate technical and operational safeguards would be developed and placed before the concerned authorities. Water availability in the Pranahita system emerged as another important issue requiring further technical work. The meeting stressed the need for the two States and the CWC to arrive at a common understanding on the quantum of water that could reliably be utilised for the project.

Telangana has been seeking revival of Tummidihatti as part of its strategy to effectively harness Pranahita waters and secure the irrigation benefits originally envisaged for the State. Officials said the significance of Tuesday’s meeting lay in the willingness of all sides to continue negotiations on the basis of technical evidence. Telangana will now furnish the required submergence and related project details to Maharashtra, while further work will be undertaken on water availability and inter-State safeguards. The broadly positive tenor of the CWC-chaired discussions has strengthened expectations that sustained engagement could pave the way for a mutually acceptable solution on the 152-metre Tummidihatti barrage proposal and move the long-pending project towards implementation.