Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking discussions on the finalisation of the Tummidihatti barrage height and construction plans.
The Telangana government initiated efforts to hold fresh talks with Maharashtra regarding the proposed barrage under the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita–Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project.
In his letter, Revanth Reddy requested Maharashtra to finalise a schedule for discussions with a Telangana delegation led by him.
Initially, authorities proposed construction of the Tummidihatti barrage at a height of 152 metres.
However, during an Inter-State Board meeting held on August 23, 2016, the Maharashtra government agreed to construction at a height of 148 metres and assured cooperation for required clearances.
Tummidihatti barrage height under fresh review
The Telangana government recently reviewed the Pranahita–Chevella project after deciding to speed up its completion.
According to officials, the government conducted several meetings with senior officials and irrigation experts before taking the latest decision.
Based on expert advice, the government concluded that a Full Reservoir Level of 148 metres would not meet irrigation and drinking water needs in North Telangana.
Revanth Reddy stated in the letter that fresh discussions on the Tummidihatti barrage height were necessary to address water requirements in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Medak districts.
The Chief Minister also explained that a slight increase in the Full Reservoir Level above 148 metres would create only minimal submergence impact in Maharashtra.
He further stated that a higher FRL would help Telangana draw water through gravity flow more efficiently.