Telangana CM makes strong pitch to Centre for increase in Tummidihatti barrage height

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has made a strong pitch to the Central Government to convince the Maharashtra Government to allow increase in the height of Tummidihatti barrage on Pranahita river. The will not have any submergence issues with the neighbouring State, he averred.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, called on Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) and explained him about the significance Tummidihatti project holds for Telangana. He referred to the letter addressed by the State government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — who in turn responded by forwarding it to the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Mr. Revanth Reddy reminded that the two States (Telangana and Maharashtra) reached an agreement over construction of barrage at Tummidihatti at 148 metres. Studies conducted by Pune based Central Water and Power Research Centre revealed that there would not be problems relating to submergence even if the height was increased to 152 metres as over 50% of the submergence would be confined to the riverbed.

Limiting the barrage height to 148 metres would not help release water in sufficient quantities through submergence and hence, the Centre should take the initiative of convincing Maharashtra government for allowing enhancement of barrage height to 150-152 metres. Ensuring flow of water through gravity would save the costs involved in pumping it using electricity. Explaining that completion of the project would ensure water supply to the backward Adilabad district, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to arrange a meeting between the two States to resolve the issue.

Mr. Patil acknowledged the receipt of letter from the Prime Minister’s Office and said a meeting of the Central Water Commission would be convened soon on the issue. This would be followed by the exercise on conducting an official level meeting between Telangana and Maharashtra governments. A meeting between the Irrigation Ministers of the two States would follow subsequently.