Telangana to Push for 152-Metre Height of Tummidihatti Barrage in Talks with Maharashtra

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to prepare comprehensive technical reports ahead of proposed talks with Maharashtra on the Tummidihatti barrage, with Telangana seeking approval for construction at a height of 152 metres to improve water availability for irrigation.

Revanth Reddy said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had indicated that discussions could be held after October 23. The talks are expected to cover barrage height, water availability and the extent of land likely to be submerged.

During a review meeting attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Jupally Krishna Rao, MP Vem Narender Reddy and senior officials, the Chief Minister examined pending issues concerning Tummidihatti, Dindi and the Achampet lift irrigation scheme.

Officials estimated that a barrage at 152 metres could submerge around 2,300 acres, compared with less than 1,000 acres at 150 metres. They reportedly said the proposed construction would not submerge villages in Maharashtra. Revanth Reddy noted that the earlier proposed height of 148 metres would not provide the desired quantity of water.

The project aims to supply irrigation to two lakh acres in the erstwhile Adilabad district, including forest and tribal areas. Referring to the slogan ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen’, the Chief Minister stressed that local communities should benefit from the project. He also directed officials to prepare plans for conveying water from Tummidihatti to Ellampalli, land acquisition and reports sought during recent Central Water Commission meetings in New Delhi.

The review also covered additional supplies of 0.5 TMC to Dindi from Edula reservoir and 0.1 TMC to Achampet. Officials were asked to explore sourcing the combined 0.6 TMC requirement from Srisailam and assess routes through Narlapur and Edula, including pumping systems, pump houses, canals and tunnels. The Chief Minister stressed that the arrangements must not affect the Palamuru-Rangareddy project.

Separately, a Cabinet sub-committee chaired by Bhatti Vikramarka reviewed drought preparedness and possible El Niño impacts at the State Secretariat. Ministers, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju and senior officials discussed water availability, farmer relief and measures to address drought conditions across Telangana.