Central Water Commission to mediate Telangana-Maharashtra barrage dispute

The Central Water Commission (CWC) will host a meeting on September 1 in New Delhi to mediate a dispute between Telangana and Maharashtra regarding the proposed Tummidihatti Barrage on the Pranahita River. The meeting, chaired by the CWC Chairman, aims to resolve technical and inter-state issues surrounding the long-pending project.

A primary point of contention is the height of the barrage. Telangana is requesting a construction height of 152 metres, whereas Maharashtra had previously agreed to 148 metres. Telangana officials argue that a 148-metre height would make gravity-fed water flow unfeasible, necessitating expensive pumping that would increase the state's electricity costs.

The push for central intervention follows requests from Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who has communicated with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. The project is intended to provide essential irrigation to drought-prone and backward regions.