Hyderabad: The Congress govt has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his good offices and ensure that the BJP govt in Maharashtra positively considers the Telangana govt’s proposal for the construction of a barrage at Tummidihatti at 150 metres height, for which inter-state talks are being sought.The state has already written to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis explaining the agreement signed between the two states in the past and that Maharashtra had agreed for a barrage to be constructed at 148 metres.However, the previous BRS govt opted for redesigning and construction of Medigadda and other barrages instead of Tummidihatti point. Now, the Congress govt has decided to revive the original Pranahita-Chevella project as part of which Tummidihatti was planned, but later redesigned and renamed as Kaleshwaram by the then KCR govt.Sources in the CMO said chief minister A Revanth Reddy and N Uttam Kumar Reddy were waiting for a reply from Devendra Fadnavis. In the meantime, a letter was also sent to Narendra Modi as Revanth is of the view that being the PM, he should act as an arbitrator and ensure both states benefit on the irrigation front.The CM also sought an appointment with PM Modi to give a PowerPoint presentation on the key projects being taken up by Telangana, which need approval and financial support of the central govt.The Congress govt is also asking Union minister G Kishan Reddy to speak to the Maharashtra govt. The ruling Congress is of the view that the farmers of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Medak would benefit from Tummidihatti project, and that these parliamentary constituencies were represented by BJP MPs.According to sources, CM Revanth is of the opinion that the BJP MPs should decide whether they would stand by farmers of Telangana or the BJP govt in Maharashtra.This is being viewed as a political strategy to blame BJP if the Maharashtra govt does not come forward for talks or does not agree for the construction of a barrage at 150 metres height at Tummidihatti.Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy was assigned to write a letter to Union minister G Kishan Reddy and also meet the latter to facilitate the issue is solved in consultation with Maharashtra govt, expeditiously.The officials and irrigation experts have suggested that constructing the Tummidihatti barrage at a height of 150 metres would enable the utilization of at least 100 TMCs of water and fulfill the interests of Telangana. Engineering experts noted that building the barrage at 152 metres would result in more submergence in Maharashtra and hence the height of 150 metres would help to draw water at a lower cost.“The construction of the barrage at 150 metres would not significantly affect the submergence of areas in Maharashtra. Also, the state govt is ready to provide compensation to the displaced,” an official said.The barrage would ensure the availability of water for both irrigation and drinking needs in several districts, including Adilabad, and facilitate water flows to Sripada Yellampalli reservoir via gravity at a minimal cost, an oficial claimed.
