Revanth gears up for Maha talks on Tummidihatti, seeks higher barrage height
Hyderabad : With Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis indicating his willingness to hold discussions after Oct 23, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday directed officials to prepare extensively for what could be a crucial round of inter-state talks on the long-pending Tummidihatti barrage project, seen as key to addressing irrigation needs in the tribal-dominated undivided Adilabad region. Officials briefed the chief minister on the quantity of water that could be diverted to the Yellampalli project if the barrage is constructed at a height of 152 metres compared to 150 metres. A barrage at 152 metres would submerge around 2,300 acres, while lowering the height to 150 metres would reduce the affected area to less than 1,000 acres, according to officials.
He said constructive engagement with Maharashtra could help resolve the decades-old water shortage in the region and benefit forest-dwelling tribal communities that have long struggled under the banner of “jal, Jungle, zameen” (water, forest and land). At a review meeting held at his camp office on the MCR HRD Institute campus, Revanth assessed pending issues related to the proposed barrage as well as the Dindi and Achampet lift irrigation schemes. The meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and D Sridhar Babu, Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy and senior irrigation officials. They informed him that the project would not result in the submergence of villages in Maharashtra. Revanth directed officials to fully assess the submergence impact in Maharashtra and prepare a comprehensive proposal that maximises water diversion while addressing concerns of the neighbouring state. The chief minister underlined the importance of the project for the undivided Adilabad district, saying the barrage is intended to provide irrigation to nearly two lakh acres in a region marked by vast forest cover, a large tribal population and longstanding socio-economic backwardness. Ministers backed the chief minister’s proposal to secure additional water for the Dindi and Achampet projects while ensuring that allocations for the Palamuru project remain unaffected.