Telangana CM urges Centre to persuade Maharashtra on Tummidihatti barrage height

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has sought the Central Government's intervention to persuade Maharashtra to agree to an increase in the height of the Tummidihatti barrage on the Pranahita river. He asserted that raising the height from the agreed 148 metres to 150-152 metres would not cause any submergence issues for the neighbouring State, citing scientific studies.

Accompanied by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Chief Minister met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) and explained the significance of the project for Telangana. He referred to a letter from the State government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was forwarded to the Jal Shakti Ministry for examination.

Mr. Revanth Reddy noted that Telangana and Maharashtra had earlier reached an agreement to construct the barrage at a height of 148 metres. However, studies conducted by the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Centre have indicated that even a height of 152 metres would not lead to submergence problems, as more than 50 per cent of the submergence would be confined to the riverbed. The study, he said, provided a strong technical basis for revising the earlier decision.

The Chief Minister argued that limiting the barrage height to 148 metres would not allow sufficient water to be released through gravity, necessitating the use of electricity for pumping water. This would lead to additional costs for the State. Raising the height to 150-152 metres would enable gravity-based flow, saving significant amounts of power and money. He also emphasised that the enhanced height would improve the project's storage capacity and ensure better utilisation of available water resources.

Highlighting the project's importance, Mr. Revanth Reddy stated that its completion would ensure water supply to the backward Adilabad district, which has historically faced water scarcity. He requested the Union Minister to arrange a meeting between the two States to resolve the issue at the earliest.

The Pranahita river, a major tributary of the Godavari, flows through both Maharashtra and Telangana. The Tummidihatti barrage is a key component of Telangana's plans to harness the river's waters for irrigation and drinking purposes. The State government has maintained that the enhanced height is crucial for the project's technical and economic feasibility, as it would allow the water to flow by gravity to the intended command areas.

Responding to the request, Union Minister C.R. Patil acknowledged the receipt of the letter from the Prime Minister's Office. He said a meeting of the Central Water Commission would be convened soon to examine the technical aspects of the proposal. The Commission, an apex technical body for inter-State river issues, is expected to study the research findings and prepare a detailed assessment. This would be followed by an official-level meeting between the governments of Telangana and Maharashtra. A meeting between the Irrigation Ministers of the two States would subsequently be organised to work out a final solution.

The development marks a step forward in resolving a long-pending inter-State water issue through dialogue and technical assessment. The outcome of the proposed meetings is expected to determine the actual height of the barrage and the future of the project, which holds significant implications for water security in the region. For Telangana, a favourable decision would mean not only assured water supply for Adilabad but also a reduction in the financial burden associated with pumping water.