Telangana CM Pushes for Accelerated Tummidihetti Barrage Construction

Telangana's Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has instructed state officials to accelerate work on the Tummidihetti Barrage project and develop a comprehensive implementation strategy.

The directive came during a high-level meeting convened at MCRHRD on Wednesday, where N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Vem Narender Reddy and other senior government officials were present to discuss the initiative.

During the meeting, officials briefed the Chief Minister on various design specifications and water storage capacities for the barrage. They highlighted that approximately ₹11,000 crore has already been invested in the linked Pranahita-Chevella project, with 71.5 km of canal infrastructure now complete.

Balancing Height and Cross-Border Concerns

Technical experts recommended constructing the barrage at a height of 150 metres, which would allow the capture of at least 100 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water. While Maharashtra had previously consented to a 148-metre structure, officials noted that raising it to 152 metres would result in flooding across the Maharashtra border.

The 150-metre proposal emerged as the optimal middle ground, offering cost savings and minimizing the extent of land submergence beyond Telangana's boundaries.

Water Supply and Project Benefits

Revanth Reddy outlined how the barrage would deliver irrigation and potable water to elevated regions, particularly Adilabad district. He noted that water could flow naturally to the Sripada Yellampalli reservoir through gravity, thereby reducing the total expense of the project while justifying the need for rapid progress.

The Chief Minister directed officials to initiate talks with the Maharashtra government without delay, assuring them that Telangana would offer appropriate compensation in the event of any cross-border land submergence.

Central Government's Role

Revanth Reddy tasked Uttam Kumar Reddy with reaching out to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy to secure central government backing. He emphasized that New Delhi's intervention would be crucial in facilitating Maharashtra's cooperation.

Officials also determined that a meeting with the Union Minister should be arranged for substantive discussions, with Uttam Kumar Reddy coordinating the effort. The Chief Minister indicated that a formal petition from Telangana's farming community would be submitted to the Centre.

In a related development, Revanth Reddy called for expediting geological surveys for the restoration of Medigadda Barrage before the monsoon season arrives.