Maharashtra will independently assess the impact of Telangana’s proposed increase in the height of the Thumidihatti irrigation project before taking a decision on the request, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
The state has agreed to examine the proposal through a joint committee of senior officials, while making it clear that the interests of people in Maharashtra cannot be compromised. The decision followed a meeting between Fadnavis and his Telangana counterpart, A Revanth Reddy, at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. Reddy, accompanied by Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and other officials, sought Maharashtra’s approval to increase the project’s height from 148 metres to 152 metres.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra was
willing to cooperate with neighbouring states and had taken a positive view of Telangana’s proposal in the past. However, the state had subsequently found that the area expected to be submerged was larger than originally anticipated, making a fresh assessment necessary before any further approval.
The proposed joint committee will comprise the chief secretaries and secretaries of the water resources departments of both states. It will examine the technical aspects of the project, the likely submergence in Maharashtra and the implications of the proposed increase in height.
The study will also look at the impact of the change in the project’s location, the inclusion of a wildlife sanctuary in the affected area and the extent of land required outside the riverbed.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra would share its findings with Telangana. If the Telangana government identifies any shortcomings or raises objections to the assessment, officials from both states will discuss the issues. Expert opinion may also be sought if required.
The Chief Minister said Maharashtra would take a decision based on the findings of the independent assessment and subsequent technical discussions. He reiterated that the state had no objection to a neighbouring state benefiting from a project, provided it did not cause harm to Maharashtra or its residents.
On water-sharing arrangements and statutory clearances, Fadnavis said these matters fell within the jurisdiction of the Central Water Commission. Once the commission seeks Maharashtra’s views, the state will submit its position based on the available facts.
The meeting puts the focus on the likely impact of the proposed height increase rather than an immediate clearance. For Telangana, the request remains subject to Maharashtra’s assessment of the project’s consequences on its territory.
The Thumidihatti project now hinges on the findings of the joint committee, with Maharashtra unwilling to grant approval without establishing the extent of the impact on its territory. For Fadnavis, the challenge will be to accommodate Telangana’s request without exposing Maharashtra to fresh submergence risks. The state’s final stand will depend on what the technical assessment reveals.
