Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Urges Centre to Facilitate Agreement on Tummidihatti Barrage Height
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the Central Government to intervene and persuade the Maharashtra government to permit an increase in the height of the proposed Tummidihatti barrage on the Pranahita river. Meeting Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on August 5, 2026, the delegation from Telangana explained how raising the barrage height would improve water availability without causing submergence issues in Maharashtra.
What Happened
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, accompanied by Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and state MPs, held discussions with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi. During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the Tummidihatti project and requested the Centre to organize discussions with Maharashtra to revise the previously agreed barrage height from 148 metres to between 150 and 152 metres.
This initiative follows a letter previously addressed by the Telangana State government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which the Prime Minister forwarded to the Jal Shakti Ministry for consideration.
Key Highlights
- Height Revision Request: Telangana requested Central assistance to convince Maharashtra to allow an increase in the barrage height from 148 metres to 150–152 metres.
- Cost Savings via Gravity Flow: Raising the barrage level enables natural flow of water through gravity, eliminating heavy electrical pumping expenses.
- Submergence Findings: Research by the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Centre demonstrated that increasing the height up to 152 metres would not create submergence issues, as over 50 percent of the submergence remains confined to the riverbed.
- Water for Adilabad: Project completion with increased height will ensure dedicated water supply to the backward district of Adilabad.
- Central Assurance: Union Minister C.R. Patil acknowledged the reference from the Prime Minister’s Office and outlined a structured process for inter-state resolution.
Why This Matters
Telangana officials stated that restricting the Tummidihatti barrage height to 148 metres hinders the release of sufficient water without relying on costly electric pumping. Increasing the barrage height to 150–152 metres allows water to flow naturally by gravity, saving electricity costs while fulfilling water needs in Adilabad district.
What to Watch Next
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil confirmed that a meeting of the Central Water Commission (CWC) will be convened shortly. This will be followed by an official-level meeting between the governments of Telangana and Maharashtra, and subsequently a meeting between the Irrigation Ministers of both states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Telangana seeking to raise the Tummidihatti barrage height?
Telangana argues that a height of 148 metres does not permit sufficient water release, whereas a height of 150–152 metres allows gravity-based water flow, reducing energy costs associated with pumping.
Will increasing the barrage height submerge land in Maharashtra?
According to studies by the Central Water and Power Research Centre in Pune, raising the height to 152 metres will not cause submergence issues because more than 50 percent of the submergence is contained within the riverbed.
What steps has the Centre committed to taking?
The Jal Shakti Ministry will first convene a meeting of the Central Water Commission, followed by official-level discussions and a meeting between the Irrigation Ministers of Telangana and Maharashtra.
Source: Based on official statements and reports regarding the meeting between Telangana leaders and Union Minister C.R. Patil.