Hyderabad: Telangana irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state govt would press for Maharashtra govt’s approval to take up Thummidhatti barrage at 152 metres height during the Central Water Commission (CWC) meeting to be held on September 1.The minister said that the inter-state talks convened by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti between Telangana and Maharashtra could pave the way for diverting nearly 80 TMC of Pranahita water by gravity to the Sundilla barrage. The negotiations, scheduled for September 1 in New Delhi will examine Telangana’s proposal to construct the Pranahita barrage at Tummidi Hatti at full reservoir level of 150 metres. The meeting will be chaired by the CWC chairman and attended by senior officials and heads of key CWC directorates.Ahead of the talks, Uttam Kumar Reddy held a preparatory meeting with irrigation secretary and other officials on Saturday and discussed on the issue.“Telangana will seek Maharashtra’s consent for the 152-metre level, which is two metres higher than the 148-metre level accepted by the previous state govt in 2016,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.The minister said technical studies conducted by the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, estimated submergence in Maharashtra at about 1,150 acres at 148 metres and over 2,500 acres at 152 metres.“Since submergence is involved at both levels, the previous govt should have negotiated more effectively to secure Maharashtra’s consent for the technically advantageous 152-metre level. Telangana lost an important opportunity by agreeing to 148 metres without adequately safeguarding the State’s interests,” he said.According to the minister, the higher barrage level would enable nearly 80 TMC to be conveyed by gravity to Sundilla, reducing dependence on costly and energy-intensive lift irrigation. Gravity conveyance would also provide a more dependable and sustainable source of irrigation. The proposal draws its legal and institutional basis from the inter-State agreements of 1975 and 1978, which permitted the erstwhile AP and Maharashtra to develop the Pranahita project jointly or independently for their respective benefit, he said.“The Congress govt will firmly protect Telangana’s legitimate share of river waters. We will engage Maharashtra positively and constructively to revive a project capable of providing maximum irrigation benefits at a substantially lower recurring energy cost,” he said.ends/
