Reddy Urges Centre to Mediate Higher Elevation for Tummidihatti Barrage
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to advocate for raising the Pranahita river project height to 152 metres. The move aims to utilize gravity-fed water flow for the Adilabad district while minimizing electrical pumping costs.
Key takeaways
- Telangana is requesting the Union government to mediate with Maharashtra to raise the Tummidihatti barrage height to 152 metres.
- Data from the Central Water and Power Research Centre suggests increasing the height will not cause major submergence issues beyond the riverbed.
- The Central Water Commission will soon hold a meeting to review the proposal before hosting inter-state ministerial talks.
The Push for Vertical Expansion
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy held talks with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The state leadership requested federal intervention to persuade Maharashtra to permit a taller structure for the Tummidihatti barrage on the Pranahita river. While previous agreements capped the height at 148 metres, Telangana officials argue that increasing the elevation to 152 metres is essential for project efficiency.
Technical Feasibility and Impact
The Chief Minister cited research from the Central Water and Power Research Centre in Pune to address concerns regarding land loss. The study indicates that even at a 152-metre height, over half of the resulting submergence would remain within the existing riverbed, preventing significant damage to the neighboring state. Revanth Reddy emphasized that the current 148-metre limit prevents sufficient water release via gravity. By raising the barrage to the 150-152 metre range, the state could eliminate the heavy financial burden of using electricity to pump water into the system.
Key Facts
- The Tummidihatti barrage is intended to provide critical water resources to the underdeveloped Adilabad district.
- A prior agreement between Telangana and Maharashtra established a 148-metre height for the structure.
- The Prime Minister’s Office redirected Telangana's formal request to the Jal Shakti Ministry for technical review.
- Official studies suggest that 152 metres would not cause significant submergence issues in Maharashtra.
What Happens Next
Union Minister C.R. Patil confirmed receipt of the Prime Minister’s correspondence and outlined a multi-stage resolution process. The Central Water Commission will first convene a meeting to analyze the technical proposal. This will trigger official-level discussions between the bureaucracies of Telangana and Maharashtra. The process is expected to culminate in a direct meeting between the Irrigation Ministers of both states to finalize the height adjustment.
Source: The Hindu — National
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