Maharashtra Open to Reviewing Tummidihatti Dam Agreement- Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed willingness to reconsider the existing agreement on constructing a dam at Tummidihatti, provided the project does not adversely affect Maharashtra. He also assured cooperation in addressing Telangana’s water needs and proposed a detailed assessment by the Central Water Commission and a joint committee of officials from both states. The proposal was discussed at a key meeting at Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai, where Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy led a delegation that included Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, government adviser Ramakrishna Rao, chief secretaries and senior irrigation officials. The discussions covered the proposed increase in dam height to 152 metres, water availability, submergence risks and technical considerations.

Revanth Reddy urged Maharashtra to support the 152-metre dam, highlighting Telangana’s drinking and irrigation water requirements, the development of backward regions and the welfare of tribal communities in the former undivided Adilabad district. Uttam Kumar Reddy explained that the 2016 agreement had fixed the barrage height at 148 metres, which Telangana believes may not fully meet its water needs. He also stressed the importance of gravity-based water transfer and reducing operational costs. Telangana assured that it was prepared to compensate farmers whose agricultural land in Maharashtra could be affected, in accordance with the state’s land acquisition rules and compensation policy. Fadnavis responded positively to further consideration of the proposal but called for detailed technical, environmental and administrative assessments before a final decision. He also proposed a clear action plan with timelines for future meetings and further progress on the project.